Formula 1 TV Schedule 2019: Japanese Grand Prix Start Time, TV Channel, Live Stream and Latest Odds
Having caused havoc with the Rugby World Cup schedule, Typhoon Hagibis now threatens to cause disruption to the Formula One season.
Organizers of the Japanese Grand Prix have cancelled practice and qualifying sessions scheduled for Saturday, as the super typhoon zeroes in on the Tokyo and Yokohama areas this weekend.
The final practice session which precedes qualifying will not take place, while the hour-long qualifying session be held at 10 a.m. local time on Sunday (9 p.m. ET Saturday), as opposed to 3 p.m. on Saturday.
The race remains scheduled to start at 2:10 p.m. local time on Sunday.
"FIA and Formula One support this decision in the interest of safety for the spectators, competitors and everyone at the Suzuka Circuit," FIA, the sport's governing body, said in a statement on Friday.
The Suzuka circuit, which hosts the Grand Prix, is located approximately 190 miles southwest of Tokyo and is not new to adverse weather conditions. Qualifying in 2004 and 2010 were also postponed to Sunday due to severe downpours, while the 2014 edition of the race took place as Typhoon Phanfone approached the area.
Super Typhoon Hagibis, described as the biggest of the year, was initially expected to land on the southern island of Kyushu but is now expected to make landfall further north having changed direction earlier this week.
According to the Joint Typhoon Warning, Hagibis stretches for hundreds of miles away from its center and on Tuesday it had sustained wind speeds of 120 miles per hour, with gusts of up to 170 mph.
The typhoon has forced World Rugby to take the unprecedented step of cancelling two Rugby World Cup matches.
On Thursday, rugby's governing body confirmed England's clash against France in Yokohama and New Zealand's match against Italy in Toyota, both of which were scheduled to take place on Saturday, had been called off.
World Rugby added Ireland's game against Samoa on Saturday is expected to go ahead as planned, but Scotland's game against Japan in Yokohama on Sunday hangs in the balance and a decision will only be made on the morning of the game.
Mercedes were fastest during both practice sessions on Friday, with Valtteri Bottas finishing ahead of Lewis Hamilton. Ferrari, meanwhile, appeared to be off the pace with Charles Leclerc 0.356 seconds behind the Mercedes and Sebastian Vettel over 0.500 seconds behind Bottas.
Leclerc has taken pole position at each of the last four races, with Ferrari winning three of them, but Hamilton took the chequered flag in Russia two weeks ago.
The Briton leads the drivers' championship with a 73-point gap over Bottas, while Leclerc is a further 34 points behind.
Here's all you need to know ahead of Sunday.
Where is the Japanese Grand Prix?
The race takes place at the Suzuka International Racing Course, which has traditionally been the home of Formula One in Japan.
The Japanese Grand Prix was first held at Fuji Speedway in 1976 and 1977, before a nine-year hiatus saw it off the calendar until 1987, when Suzuka hosted its first Formula One Grand Prix.
The track has staged events ever since with the exception of 2007 and 2008 when the race returned to Fuji.
When is the Japanese Grand Prix?
The race is scheduled to start at 2:10 p.m. local time (1:10 a.m. ET) on Sunday, October 13.
TV channel
The Japanese Grand Prix will be broadcast live by ESPN. Coverage of race day begins at 1:05 a.m. ET on Sunday.
Live stream
The race will also be available on ESPN+ and via WatchESPN.com, while Sling TV, Hulu, YouTube TV and PlayStation Vue will all offer a live stream.
Odds
Bookmakers expect Lewis Hamilton to make it three wins in a row in Suzuka this weekend. According to Oddschecker, the Briton, who has won in Japan in four of the last five seasons, is 10/11 favorite, while Valtteri Bottas and Charles Leclerc are both 4/1 shots and Sebastian Vettel is a 6/1 outsider.
