F1 chiefs have made the decision to cancel all activities at Suzuka on Saturday, so qualifying will now be held on Sunday four hours before the race. Practice three is also cancelled.
“As a result of the predicted impact of Typhoon Hagibis on the F1 Japanese Grand Prix 2019, Mobilityland and the Japanese Automobile Federation [JAF] have decided to cancel all activities scheduled to take place on Saturday,” a statement said.
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“The FIA and Formula 1 support this decision in the interest of safety for the spectators, competitors and everyone at the Suzuka Circuit.”
Qualifying on Sunday will start at 2am and the grand prix start time remains unchanged at 6.10am. All times UK.
Typhoon Hagibis, which is set to pass by the circuit, is predicted to be the most violent to hit Japan this year. Two Rugby World Cup matches have also been cancelled on Saturday in Japan.
Mercedes secured a one-two in both of Friday’s free practice (FP) sessions. In FP1 Valtteri Bottas finished ahead of Lewis Hamilton and in FP2 the Finnish driver repeated the feat at Suzuka.
In second practice Bottas and Hamilton finished ahead of Red Bull’s Max Verstapen and Ferrari duo Charles Leclerc and Sebastian Vettel.
What if qualifying is postponed?
F1 has confirmed that should Sunday’s qualifying be postponed then the starting grid will be determined by the results in FP2. That would put Bottas on pole position ahead of Mercedes team-mate Hamilton.
Silver Arrows eye the title
Should results go their way Mercedes can wrap up the F1 2019 constructors’ championship this weekend. It would a record-equalling sixth successive constructors’ championship for the Silver Arrows.
2018 podium: 1st Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes); 2nd Valtteri Bottas (Mercedes); 3rd Max Verstappen (Red Bull Racing)
When is qualifying?
With no action on Saturday this means FP3 is cancelled and qualifying for the F1 Japanese GP will now be held on Sunday 13 October at 2am (UK time).
What time does the race start?
The 2019 F1 Japanese GP starts at 6.10am (UK time) on Sunday.
Japanese GP winner: pundit predictions
Joe Kirshnan, London Evening Standard: Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes)
“The 34-year-old has won the Japanese GP five times - four times in Suzuka - and it seems to be one of his favourite circuits. In fact, Hamilton has won four of the last five races here - only arch rival Nico Rosberg has finished ahead of him when he won it in 2016.
“Sebastian Vettel is also handy around this circuit - with four race wins between 2009 and 2013 - but his last victory came before the hybrid era. The Ferrari driver has finally found his feet after a dismal run in 2019 and will no doubt be hoping to rival Hamilton for top spot. His team-mate [Charles] Leclerc could be the main danger coming into this race, having taking pole position in qualifying at the last four races. But with a sixth title in touching distance, Hamilton should record another victory in the Far East.”
Matthew Atkinson, The Stats Zone: Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes)
“The Japanese GP should be a close battle between Mercedes and Ferrari, with Red Bull hopefully in the mix. Lewis Hamilton loves Suzuka and it will be hard to bet against him, with Mercedes dominating the Japanese GP in recent years, winning every race since 2014.
“However, Ferrari know they should have won four-on-the-trot and should be very competitive in Japan. Given how hard it is to overtake at Suzuka, it will likely come down to who grabs pole position. Ferrari could be fighting a battle on several fronts with the media interest surrounding their team dynamic not helping things, but Hamilton and Mercedes’ Suzuka dominance in recent years will take something special to break through.”
Tony Kelshaw, Bwin: Charles Leclerc (Ferrari)
“Ferrari left Sochi full of frustration but are fancied to bounce back to top form in Suzuka in our Japanese Grand Prix predictions. Ferrari had come out on top in the previous three races, with [Sebastian] Vettel claiming victory in Singapore following [Charles] Leclerc’s double in Belgium and Italy. Everything suggests they are currently in the ascendancy and we favour Leclerc to pass the chequered flag first in our Japanese Grand Prix betting tips.”
Sky Sports F1 will show live coverage of qualifying and the GP from Suzuka on Sunday. Channel 4 will show highlights of the race.
Watch F1 on Now TV
Formula 1 fans can also watch the action live on Now TV. Viewers can subscribe to a Sky Sports Day Pass via Now TV for just £8.99, the most economical way of watching each race.
Sky Sports F1 coverage of the Japanese GP Sunday 13 October
Channel 4 coverage of the Japanese GP
Sunday 13 October: Japanese GP highlights at 2.20pm to 4.55pm
Suzuka International Racing Course graphic: Formula1.com
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