adminTOKYO. — Force India driver Sergio Perez says Sunday’s Japanese Grand Prix may not go ahead if Typhoon Phanfone hits Suzuka. The typhoon has formed over the Pacific Ocean, and rain is expected for today’s practice, ahead of dry weather for qualifying tomorrow.
Mexican Perez (24) said: “Rain will come tomorrow. The hurricane might come. If it comes, probably we won’t be able to race.”
Williams’ Valtteri Bottas said: “There is a big chance of big rain on Sunday.” Felipe Massa, Bottas’s team-mate, said: “I hope we can have the race and the weather doesn’t affect us.”
Forecasters say the rain band associated with the northern edge of Typhoon Phanfone will track towards Japan over the next few days and will be south of Suzuka, about 250 miles away, at the time of the race on Sunday.
MeteoGroup forecaster Alexi Venerus said the typhoon may not hit Japan but that there was great uncertainty about its path.
“The weather itself for the actual area won’t be particularly very nice but in terms of the high-strength winds, they look like they should still be well off shore or further south anyway,” she said. — BBC Sport.
Online Reporter