The qualifying battle for the upcoming Japanese 2019 Grand Prix 2019 has been pushed to Sunday, instead of it taking place on Saturday. The confirmed decision was taken by the FIA in lines with the massive threat of the fast-approaching typhoon Hagibis.
Ever since the Formula 1 contingent arrived at Suzuka, the venue for the upcoming Japanese Grand Prix 2019, there have been growing concerns about the state of the weather, with some fearing the worst, i.e., the cancellation of the entire racing event in lines with the looming threat of the typhoon Hagibis.
The looming weather threat at Suzuka
Although, a brief free-practice session did take place with Mercedes’ Valtteri Bottas setting the early pace in a Mercedes 1-2, which was immediately bettered by Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel, who showed rampant pace on the softs.
But the dramatic weather conditions at the racing venue couldn’t hold the official Formula 1 site to notify all concerned about the following:
“The looming Typhoon Hagibis and its 150 mph winds mean that the circuit will be closed on Saturday, the decision having been made by the circuit and the Japanese Automobile Federation ahead of Friday’s running.”
Ahead of the opening practice session at Suzuka on Friday morning, the FIA and F1 released a statement supporting a decision from the circuit and the Japanese Automobile Federation to “cancel all activities scheduled to take place on Saturday”.
This is been made as a resulted of the “predicted impact” of the typhoon and has been done “in the interests of safety for the spectators, competitors, and everyone” at the track.
That told, one can’t wait to anticipate about what might transpire down at Suzuka, for Round 17 of the ongoing Formula 1 season. Questions and doubts encircle the minds of all, whether drivers, experts, and fans.
Will the Japanese Grand Prix 2019 see a full racing event take place, with the 10 teams and 20 drivers going the full distance of over 307 kilometers in the 53-lap battle?
Or, are we going to witness a truncated battle for glory at Japanese Grand Prix 2019?
While there are more questions than answers, Mercedes’ ace Lewis Hamilton will be aware of the psychological and statistical advantage that he currently holds over the others. One look at the current Driver Standings reveals who the ultimate boss is.
As Hamilton enjoys a massive 73-point lead over his teammate, standing firm on 322 points, it remains to be seen whether Valtteri Bottas, who is yet to win a contest since acing the street circuit contest at Baku, will be able to outscore his famous Mercedes teammate, also his arch-rival for the current championship.
And where the Ferrari paddock stands, then Charles Leclerc, who sits pretty with 215 points on the third step of the championship will be keen to better his teammate in his maiden Suzuka drive in all Scarlett Red.
For now, everyone’s keen to know as to who’ll grab the track position for the start of the race upon the conclusion of the qualifying battle. But the question still remains: will we get to see a full-fledged Japanese Grand Prix 2019 despite the threatening weather crisis?