Typhoon Makes Little Impression at Suzuka

Fears that a typhoon could disrupt Sunday's Japanese Grand Prix subsided as the storm passed Suzuka without causing damage on Saturday.

Heavy rain that had caused havoc in Friday's practice and prompted the postponement of Saturday's qualifying stopped in Suzuka at around 15:00 local time (06:00 GMT) as Typhoon "Ma-on" moved east towards Tokyo.

"All that is left in Suzuka is the tail-end of the storm," a Meteorological Agency spokesman told Reuters. "It has passed there and [the Grand Prix] shouldn't be in danger."

Formula One officials took the unprecedented step of postponing qualifying to the morning of the race after several drivers skidded off during Friday's practice.

With Ma-on bringing winds of up to 160km/h near its centre, race organisers took the decision to close the Suzuka circuit on Saturday.

The typhoon is one of the strongest recorded in Asia this year and the record ninth to hit Japan this year. Last week storm "Meari" killed 27 people.

For updates and anecdotes on Ma-on, read the Daily Grapevine's News from the Typhoon