Lewis Hamilton says hes relishing thedifferent obstacle of taking on Japanese GP qualifying and the race on precisely the identical day, as Formula 1 frees to get a super Sunday at Suzuka.
Saturdays track action has been cancelled because of Typhoon Hagibis and, weather permitting, qualifying will probably currently take place at 2am UK time (10am local) on Sunday, four hours prior to the scheduled launch to the race.
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Drivers will have to change their mindset about one of F1s most iconic, unforgiving and demanding paths from an intense qualifying shootout prior to a 53-lap race.
Im definitely down for this, said Hamilton, who retains a commanding 73-point lead to his quest for a momentous sixth world championship.
Its cool when its a different format in certain ways.
It is a different mentality you enter , and youll find two different mindsets, two different rhythms.
Generally you have enough time to then calm down and cool and then ramp it up into the following moment. But if you must get it done on exactly the same day, it is another challenge and I like this.
Race and japanese GP qualifying are still live and exclusive on Sky Sports F1, although there will also be programmes – between the sessions – such as the Paddock Walkabout and an #AskCrofty with Damon Hill.
Sunday represents when Hamilton qualified on the front row, the race and qualifying has conducted on precisely the identical day as the United States GP in 2015.
Even though there are intense winds and heavy rain in the region, Suzuka – far – seems to have avoided the brunt of this typhoon and also there have been no incidents .
The storm is predicted to pass through with the current weather forecast predicting a dry, sunny Sunday.
The schedule is subject to change, and when qualifying cant take place subsequently the grid will be dictated by the results from Fridays Practice two.
If thats the case, Valtteri Bottas will begin on pole ahead of Hamilton.
Sunday, October 13
1.30am: Japanese GP Qualifying build-up (simulcast on Sky Sports Main Event)
2am: JAPANESE GP QUALIFYING (simulcast on Sky Sports Main Event)
3.30am: Paddock Walkabout (simulcast on Sky Sports Main Event)
4.10am: #Ask Crofty: Damon Hill Particular
4.30am: Western GP Pit Lane Live (simulcast on Sky Sports Main Event)
5.30am: Western GP About The Grid (simulcast on Sky Sports Main Event)
6.10am: THE GRAND PRIX LIVE! (simulcast on Sky Sports Main Event)
8am: Western GP Paddock Live (simulcast on Sky Sports Main Event)
9am: Western GP Notebook (simulcast on Sky Sports Main Event)
9.30am: Japanese GP replay (simulcast on Sky Sports Main Event)
12pm: Western GP highlights
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