Japan GP gets go-ahead

Amid fears that 120mph winds and heavy rain could damage the infrastructure of the Japanese circuit with the typhoon originally believed to be heading straight for the track, there was even talk that the race itself may even need to be called off.

However, Typhoon 22 changed course overnight and Suzuka escaped the worst of the conditions - leaving the few team personnel that attended the track on Saturday to cope with just some heavy rain.

Although it is not clear yet what conditions will greet the teams on Sunday morning for the 9am start to pre-qualifying, the fact that both qualifying and the race will take place on the same day is poised to deliver one of the most exciting days in recent F1 history.

Renault's director of engineering Pat Symonds is one who believes that Sunday could throw up its fair share of surprises. He said: "If qualifying is held in the wet, then I think we can expect a mixed-up grid, because it is hard to believe that nobody will make a mistake in those kinds of conditions. Logically, that should produce entertaining racing - especially on as good a drivers' circuit as Suzuka.

"Like we saw in Brazil in 2003, unpredictable conditions could well give us a very unexpected winner at the end of the race. All in all, I think tomorrow's grand prix has all the hallmarks of being a bit of a classic."

Adding to the difficulties that teams face in coping with the new format is that they have not done any running in dry conditions - meaning they will have to make their tyre choice based on computer simulations. This could have a decisive impact on the outcome of the race.

The other possible consequence from the weekend could be that a dramatic Sunday, with a thrilling race and no complications caused by qualifying in the morning, could provide F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone with all the evidence he needs to abandon three-day weekends.

All his recent attempts at doing so have fallen on deaf ears, with teams claiming that it would be impossible to qualify and race on the same day. Tomorrow they could prove just how easy it actually is.