Lewis Hamilton says hes relishing thedifferent challenge of taking on Japanese GP qualifying and the race on exactly the exact identical day, as Formula 1 frees to get a super Sunday at Suzuka.
Saturdays track activity has been cancelled because of Typhoon Hagibis and, weather permitting, qualifying will now take place at 2am UK time (10am local) on Sunday, four weeks prior to the scheduled launch into the race.
Perhaps Mercedes countered the surge of Ferrari?
What is the Japanese GP program?
Long Hamilton can win the title
Drivers will therefore have to change their mindset from an qualifying shootout in front of a race.
I am definitely down for this, said Hamilton, who retains a dominating 73-point lead to his quest to get a momentous sixth world championship.
Its cool when its a different format in certain ways.
Its a different mentality you enter , and you will find two distinct mindsets, two unique rhythms.
Generally you have time after qualifying to calm down and chill and then mix it up into the following day. But if you have to get it done on the identical day, it is another challenge and I enjoy this.
Japanese GP qualifying and then race are live and exclusive on Sky Sports F1, although there will also be specific programmes – such as also an #AskCrofty together with Damon Hill and the Paddock Walkabout – between the sessions.
Sunday signifies qualifying and the race has conducted on precisely exactly the exact identical day as the United States GP at 2015, when Hamilton qualified behind Mercedes team-mate Nico Rosberg to the front row.
Even though there are heavy rain in the region and extreme winds, Suzuka – thus far – seems to have avoided the brunt of this super typhoon and also there are no documented incidents locally.
The storm is predicted to pass through quickly, with the present weather forecast predicting a dry Sunday.
The schedule is subject to change, and the grid will be dictated by the results in Friday 2 if qualifying cant take place.
If that is the case, Valtteri Bottas will start on pole ahead of Hamilton.
Sunday
1.30am: Western GP Qualifying build-up (simulcast on Sky Sports Main Event)
2am: JAPANESE GP QUALIFYING (simulcast on Sky Sports Main Event)
3.30m: Paddock Walkabout (simulcast on Sky Sports Main Event)
4.10m: #Ask Crofty: Damon Hill Particular
4.30am: Western GP Pit Lane Live (simulcast on Sky Sports Main Event)
5.30am: Japanese GP About The Grid (simulcast on Sky Sports Main Event)
6.10m: THE JAPANESE GRAND PRIX LIVE! (simulcast on Sky Sports Main Event)
8am: Japanese GP Paddock Live (simulcast on Sky Sports Main Event)
9am: Japanese GP Laptop (simulcast on Sky Sports Main Event)
9.30am: Western GP replay (simulcast on Sky Sports Main Event)
12pm: Western GP highlights
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