The Press and Journal (Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire)
F1 not racing into changes
Motorsport: Hamilton ‘happy’ body delaying decision as typhoon looms
Lewis Hamilton has backed Formula One delaying a decision on changes to this weekend’s storm-threatened Japanese Grand Prix.
Rugby World Cup organisers have already cancelled England’s match against France and New Zealand’s game with Italy on Saturday as Super Typhoon Hagibis approaches.
Qualifying at Suzuka, which is also due to take place on Saturday, is under threat, with the region’s most powerful typhoon of the year set to bring violent winds and heavy rain.
A contingency plan is in place to move the event to Sunday morning before the race, but F1 bosses are not expected to finalise their scheduling until late on Friday evening.
F1 and its governing body, the FIA, are staging twice-daily meetings with circuit officials and local authorities. It is understood the latter expressed surprise at World Rugby’s scrapping of two fixtures so far in advance.
F1 remains hopeful that the worst of the typhoon may miss Suzuka, situated 250 miles south west of Tokyo. Meanwhile, the race will not be staged on Monday if the cars are unable to run on Sunday.
“They are doing the utmost they can,” said championship leader Hamilton. “I am sure they are preparing, are aware that it is coming, and have procedures in place.”
Sebastian Vettel echoed Hamilton’s comments. The four-time world champion said: “I don’t think anybody wants to put lives in danger. There is a forecast, but how many times has a forecast changed?
“We will see what happens as the weekend goes on. It makes sense that when we have more evidence tomorrow night to put together a proposal or an action for qualifying then.”
A statement from the FIA read: “The safety of the fans, competitors and everyone at the Suzuka Circuit remains the top priority.”
The race in Japan has been hit by bad weather in the past, with qualifying staged on Sunday morning on two occasions, in 2004 and 2010. Four years ago, qualifying for the US Grand Prix was pushed back a day due to heavy rain.
“I am happy for them to do that,” added Hamilton, who holds a 73-point championship lead over Mercedes team-mate Valtteri Bottas, with 130 available. “It’s cool when the format changes. You have to enter into two different mindsets. It is a different challenge, so I like that.
“It is intense here when it rains, but I love driving in the wet. It doesn’t make a difference to me.”