Daniel Ricciardo admits his Renault team have had to adjust their build-up to the Japanese Grand Prix as F1 bosses revealed hopes that Sunday’s race can go still ahead, despite the looming threat of Super Typhoon Hagibis.
With the most powerful typhoon of 2019 threatening to wreak havoc on Japan, circuit officials took the decision to postpone Saturday’s qualifying in Suzuka until the morning of Sunday’s race when it is hoped conditions will have improved.
And Australian star Ricciardo revealed he was glad to bank two practice sessions on Friday as his team firm up their preparations for Sunday’s race.
The 30-year-old Perth speedster finished 14th in morning practice and 17th in the second session after the break, which could be his actual grid placing should conditions prove too difficult to hold qualifying on Sunday morning.
Ricciardo, who sits 10th in the drivers championship, level on 34 points with his Renault teammate Nico Hulkenburg, told the team’s website: “We focused on getting in as much running as possible today knowing tomorrow is off.
“We improved the car in the afternoon after a difficult morning and found some decent progress.
“We decided to complete some long runs and then short runs towards the end of the afternoon.
“Unfortunately, both low fuel laps were compromised with traffic – we’re better than what the timesheets say – and I don’t think we’re too far off from where we want to be.
“Hopefully we can have a good qualifying and then be in a better position to race on Sunday.”
Thousands of sandbags have arrived at the track in a bid to prevent the 3.6-mile course from flooding.
The paddock was effectively packed away with high winds set to batter the area. Residents have been instructed to stay inside.
Flights are being cancelled across the country, as are train services from Tokyo to Nagoya, near Suzuka, from Saturday morning.
The sport’s governing body, and F1 owners’ Liberty Media, revealed the track will be closed on Saturday after delaying their decision by 24 hours.
The final call was taken by circuit authorities on Friday morning.