Spring Shift Risks Rain at Japanese Grand Prix

Spring Shift Risks Rain at Japanese Grand Prix

02/04/2024

The Japanese Grand Prix’s move to spring invites unpredictable weather, challenging both organizers and racers.

By moving the Japanese Grand Prix to the spring, a season known for its tumultuous weather, the organizers knew they were taking a risk…

Bad weather has frequently disrupted the Japanese round of the Formula 1 World Championship, starting with the inaugural race in 1976, which was marked by James Hunt’s championship and Niki Lauda’s withdrawal under torrential conditions at Fuji.

For this weekend, rain is forecast throughout, particularly on Sunday, the race day, when heavy rainfall is expected.

The Grand Prix was rescheduled to the beginning of the season to ease the organization of the calendar by geographical zones, aiming to reduce Formula 1’s carbon footprint.

The risk, of course, is that the schedule at Suzuka could be disrupted as it has been in the past, or even the holding of the race could be in question if conditions are too precarious at the planned start time.

If the start is delayed, the chances of visibility being reduced after two hours of racing might prompt the organizers to cancel, similar to the experience of spectators at the Belgian Grand Prix in 2021 at Spa.

But in such a case at Suzuka, the memory of Jules Bianchi will inevitably loom, recalling the tragic accident of 2013 when the young French hope’s Marussia collided with a crane dispatched to a corner to assist Adrian Sutil’s Sauber, with the dramatic consequences that followed.

Spring Shift Risks Rain at Japanese Grand Prix. Spring Shift Risks Rain at Japanese Grand Prix

F1 Standings 2025
F1 Standings 2025
#
Driver
Points
1
Driver Flag
Max Verstappen
Red Bull
0
2
Driver Flag
Lando Norris
McLaren
0
3
Driver Flag
Charles Leclerc
Ferrari
0
4
Driver Flag
Oscar Piastri
McLaren
0
5
Driver Flag
Carlos Sainz
Williams
0
6
Driver Flag
George Russell
Mercedes
0
#
Team
Points
1
McLaren
Norris & Piastri
0
2
Ferrari
Leclerc & Hamilton
0
3
Red Bull
Verstappen & Lawson
0
4
Mercedes
Russell & Antonelli
0
5
Aston Martin
Alonso & Stroll
0
6
Alpine
Gasly & Doohan
0
F1 Calendar 2025
F1 CALENDAR 2025
Race Date
Australia Flag
Australian
Albert Park
16 Mar
China Flag
Chinese
Shanghai International
23 Mar
Japan Flag
Japanese
Suzuka Circuit
6 Apr
Bahrain Flag
Bahrain
Bahrain International
13 Apr
Saudi Arabia Flag
Saudi Arabian
Jeddah Street
20 Apr
FULL CALENDAR
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Race Center

Australian flag
Australian GP
13 Mar - 16 Mar
Your time Local time
FP1 13 MAR 15:30
FP2 13 MAR 19:00
FP3 14 MAR 15:30
QU 14 MAR 19:00
RACE 15 MAR 18:00
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