Typhoon Could Threaten Japanese GP

The Japanese Grand Prix weekend could be disrupted by a typhoon heading towards the country with Formula One's governing body monitoring the situation.

Heavy rain and strong winds are expected to hit the Suzuka circuit on Saturday and could affect the qualifying session, with the severe weather conditions also scheduled to hit the track on Sunday.

"We were hit by a big typhoon a few weeks ago and all of turn one and turn two was completely flooded. We don't want to see that, because we would have to stop the race completely and that would be sad," said BAR's Takuma Sato.

Suzuka is a high-speed track with one of the most notorious corners in Formula One, the left-hand 130R, taken virtually flat-out and the FIA could be forced to delay or cancel proceedings for safety reasons.

The circuit is one of the long-standing venues on the Grand Prix calendar and some drivers believe its ageing facilities and run-off areas could become dangerous if there is too much rain on the track.

Jarno Trulli, who will make his debut for Toyota this weekend after switching from Renault, said: "It is never nice to be racing in wet conditions, especially here in Japan at Suzuka.

"It is an old fashioned circuit, it probably needs more run-off areas. We have been quite committed during this season, trying to improve what we have but we are a little bit limited, there is not much space we can gain."

Williams driver Juan Pablo Montoya, said: "If the typhoon comes I would be surprised if we go out, to be honest. The winds are pretty fast, if you get 40mph winds I don't think you would want to go through 130R in the wet.

"If we have to go out, we would go out and see what happens. I'm good for anything. If everyone decides not to go out then it's reasonable, but if two or three cars go out and nothing happens then I would go out and do the same.

"But I believe if it gets to the point that it is dangerous to drive the FIA will stop it."