Typhoon Hagibis predicted to hit Suzuka on Saturday

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Typhoon Hagibis now has Japan's main island in its sights, with meteorologists predicting a potential disruption of proceedings at Suzuka on Saturday.

Hagibis - which the U.S. military has put on par with a Category 5 hurricane - is currently still intensifying although it's expected to weaken once it makes landfall.

But the sheer size of the storm means that areas not located directly in its path could still be impacted.

Typhoon Hagibis could wreak havoc on Japanese GP!

Steffen Dietz, Formula 1's former weatherman, posted his latest assessment of Hagibis on Twitter.

"Hagibis is still a powerful super typhoon with gusts above 300 kph", wrote Dietz.

"Numerical models are in good agreement regarding track through Friday, afterwards some uncertainties arise.

"From today's point of view landfall is likely between Suzuka and Tokyo on Saturday.

"Distance to the passing eye/center of the already weakened typhoon will play a huge role. At this stage about 100 mm of rain and gusts around 100 kph are possible at the track during Saturday.

"For race day conditions should improve significantly."

F1 and the FIA are obviously closely monitoring the situation, but for now, no changes to Saturday's schedule have been announced.

In 2004, the Japanese Grand Prix weekend was also disrupted by a typhoon that forced organisers to postpone qualifying until Sunday morning.

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.