FIA admits Japan GP could be cancelled

Oct.5 (GMM) Every eye is on the sky in the final hour before the Japanese grand prix.

As streams run down the pitlane and rain bands brought by typhoon Phanfone fill the radar screens, it emerged on Sunday that Suzuka organisers twice turned down the governing FIA's request to move the 3pm start time forward.

"At the moment," Romain Grosjean told France's RMC, "3pm is supposed to be the worst for the rain."

He spoke some time before the drivers set out for a drenching and to battle the winds with their umbrellas in the back of convertible cars for the pre-race parade.

"20mm of water per hour is expected while the limit for F1 is probably 5 or 6mm," the Lotus driver explained.

"And I'm not talking about Monday when it is supposed to be 80 to 100mm per hour!" he exclaimed.

Asked on Sunday afternoon if it is a possibility the race will have to be cancelled, F1 race director Charlie Whiting reportedly said: "Yes.

"If the weather reports are correct, there will be no race today."