As Typhoon Phanfone moves ever closer during Saturday night its influence on the Japanese Grand Prix grows increasingly relevant, according to UBIMET, the official weather partner of the FIA, and the race is almost certainly going to be run in wet weather.

''Although we expect rain during the normal race period, the heaviest rain and possibly storm force winds will affect the circuit later on" said UBIMET meteorologists Steffen Dietz and Andy Swan. ''More problematic will be the demobilisation and onward transport of the equipment to Sochi, where the next Grand Prix will be run on Sunday October 12th.

"The main body of the typhoon will impact most of Honshu on Sunday night with gusts of up to 120 kph (75 mph) and torrential rain over a few hours. Disruption to transport out of Nagoya airport is almost certain," they added.

Putting the Grand Prix in perspective, UBIMET warned that Honshu, the largest and most populous island, and on which Suzuka is sited, will have to cope with the after effects of Phanfone.

''Although no longer a Super Typhoon, the storm will produce widespread flooding and storm damage," it claimed.

The FIA has said that there is no chance of the race being moved forward and will still start at the scheduled time (15:00 local) even if behind the Safety Car.

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Picture Credit: EUMETSAT / UBIMET