• Japanese GP

Typhoon poses threat to Japanese Grand Prix

A typhoon hit Suzuka in 2010 and delayed qualifying until Sunday © Getty Images

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A typhoon over the Pacific Ocean has the potential to turn Sunday's grand prix into a washout if its path continues towards Japan.

Typhoon Phanfone is forecasted to pass south of Suzuka although the rain bands on its northern edge could affect Sunday's race by causing heavy rain and high winds. The FIA is monitoring the weather system ahead of the weekend but there is no precedent for a race cancelled due to weather.

© UBIMET

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In 2010, qualifying at the Japanese Grand Prix was postponed until Sunday morning when a typhoon hit the circuit but the race still went ahead as planned. One option would be to run the race on Monday, assuming the weather clears up, but Sauber boss Monisha Kaltenborn said that would not be as simple as it sounds.

"The issue is about the broadcasting opportunities because I don't think you can so easily move that time," she said. "Probably the facility will be available and I think even logistics could be sorted out. The bigger issue is can you still broadcast it the way you want it and what implications that can have. But we should be more relaxed than when we knew a typhoon was directly hitting us and yet still we had a race."

McLaren driver Jenson Button said bad weather would mix things up if the conditions are safe enough for the race to go ahead.

"I hope that we can race on Sunday, that's the first thing. With a typhoon coming this way it's always very tricky. Hopefully it will miss us. It's going to be a mixed weekend in terms of weather; tomorrow there's a good chance of rain as well. I think it's really just thinking on your feet and staying on top of all the different weather forecasts."

With just one week between the Japanese and Russian Grands Prix, the teams already face a tight turnaround before they are back in action in Sochi. A typhoon - even if it hits while the teams are packing up - could cause issues in getting all the teams' kit to Russia on time.

Weather forecasters UBIMET added: "Typhoon Phanfone (cat. 3-4) is now located south of Japan in the Western Pacific. Expert Meteorologists from UBIMET are already on the scene in Suzuka delivering continuous detailed weather forecasts to the FIA and all Formula One teams. Another tough challenge is how to logistically cope with the typhoon when the equipment is packed after the race."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.