Typhoon set to hit Japan on Sunday, putting GP schedule at risk - MotorSportsTalk

The Japanese Grand Prix could be subject to a schedule change due to the threat of typhoon Phanfone, which is currently working its way through the Pacific.

The category four typhoon is set to hit Japan on race day, posing a challenge to the Formula 1 paddock to ensure that the full complement of weekend running can take place in spite of the weather.

In a statement issued by the FIA’s weather supplier, UBIMET, the severity of the storm was made clear, and it is understood that team managers and F1 leaders will hold discussions about amending the schedule to avoid the worst of the weather.

“On Thursday morning satellite images showed the eye of category-4-Typhoon PHANFONE, approximately 340 nautical miles (630 km) south of Iwo To in the Bonin Islands on Friday,” the statement reads. “It is expected to move northwestward, reaching a maximum mean wind intensity of 130 knots (240 km/h). Gusts could exceed 160 knots (300 km/h).

“After passing the Ryūkyū Islands on Saturday PHANFONE should weaken a little due to moving over colder water and getting into an area of stronger wind shear, but should remain a powerful category 3-4 typhoon.”

Chief F1 meteorologist Steffan Dietz confirmed that the race on Sunday is set to be affected by rain.

“There are still big uncertainties for the storm track in the coming days,” he said. “The current forecast track for typhoon Phanfone keeps the eye of the storm to the southeast of Japan on Sunday but with associated rainbands extending north towards Suzuka during the morning. Once it starts the rain is likely to be prolonged and become increasingly heavy.”

Although the statement did say that “at this time, nothing too severe is expected before Monday”, it did raise concerns about the subsequent pack-up following the grand prix at Suzuka.

The teams are due to fly out of Japan to Sochi for the Russian Grand Prix early next week, presenting the possibility of trying to disassemble the paddock in the midst of a typhoon on the Monday after the race.

Because of the race in Russia, the teams would not be able to run the race on Monday should Sunday’s weather stop it from going ahead. Instead, the most logical option for moving the race – if indeed it must be moved – would be to run on the Saturday afternoon, with qualifying taking place in the morning in place of FP3.

Veteran F1 journalist Adam Cooper confirmed that talks were being held regarding the race, but the FIA is still monitoring the situation closely.

Bernie Ecclestone is not in Japan but he’s talking to Charlie Whiting today about how the typhoon might impact the weekend schedule

— Adam Cooper (@adamcooperF1) October 2, 2014

Here’s the predicted path of the typhoon, courtesy of UBIMET.

Typhoon Phanfone could be set to interrupt proceedings at Suzuka this weekend. Here’s its predicted course #F1onNBC pic.twitter.com/GoZJdlBkpa

— F1® Racing on NBC (@F1onNBCSports) October 2, 2014

For the time being, the weekend is set to go ahead as planned, but this could be subject to change.

This would not be the first time that the Japanese Grand Prix race weekend has experienced a schedule change, with qualifying for both the 2004 and 2010 races being held on Sunday morning due to inclement weather.

Follow @LukeSmithF1

An IndyCar executive said there is “absolutely” disappointment that its long-awaited video game recently was delayed beyond its target date, but the series remains optimistic about the new title.

“Well, I don’t know how quick it will be, but the whole situation is important to us,” Penske Entertainment president and CEO Mark Miles said during a news conference Monday morning to announce IndyCar’s NTT title sponsorship. “Motorsport Games has spent a lot of money, a lot of effort to create an IndyCar title. What we’ve seen of that effort, which is not completely obvious, is very reassuring.

“I think it’s going to be outstanding. That’s our shared objective, that when it is released, it’s just widely accepted. A great credit both to IndyCar racing, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, something that our fans love.”

In June 2021, IndyCar announced a new partnership with Motorsport Games to create and distribute an IndyCar video game for the PC and Xbox and PlayStation consoles in 2023.

But during an earnings call last week, Motorsport Games said the IndyCar game had been delayed to 2024 to ensure high quality.

Somewhat compounding the delay is that IndyCar’s license for iRacing expired after the end of the 2022 season because of its exclusive agreement with Motorsport Games.

That’s resulted in significant changes for IndyCar on iRacing, which had provided a high-profile way for the series to stay visible during its 2020 shutdown from the pandemic. (Players still can race an unbranded car but don’t race on current IndyCar tracks, nor can they stream).

That’s helped ratchet up the attention on having a video game outlet for IndyCar.

“I wish we had an IndyCar title 10 years ago,” said Miles, who has been working with the organization since 2013. “We’ve been close, but we’ve had these I think speed bumps.”

IndyCar is hopeful the Motorsports Game edition will be ready at the start of 2024. Miles hinted that beta versions could be unveiled to reporters ahead of the time “to begin to show the progress in a narrow way to make sure we’ve got it right, to test the progress so that we’re ready when they’re ready.”

It’s been nearly 18 years since the release of the most recent IndyCar video game for console or PC.

“(We) better get it right,” Miles said. “It’s something we’re very close to and continue to think about what it is to make sure we get it over the line in due course.”