F1 Madness

Tag: typhoon fitow

  • Weather Forecast for the 2013 Formula 1 Korean Grand Prix

    The Korean Grand Prix is not usually known for its sunny weather and clear skies. This year is no exception with typhoon Fitow threatening to disrupt the race, teams will be keeping a close eye on their weather reports throughout the weekend. We reported earlier that the typhoon is predicted to disrupt the race, but the latest reports from accuweather.com suggest that Typhoon Fitow will be heading for Shanghai and not for the Korean International Circuit in Yeongam.

    Despite the recent report there is still a chance for rain on Saturday during qualifying. For Free Practice on Friday we can expect sunny conditions. Sunday, however, is a different story. Although the typhoon is predicted to give the circuit a miss, forecasters are still predicting very strong winds and rain on Sunday afternoon which could put the race on hold.

    We will keep you updated on this weather situation throughout the weekend on our Twitter account @F1_Madness.

    Below is the predicted weather expected for the 2013 Fomula 1 Korean Grand Prix

    Korea_Weather

  • Korean Grand Prix under threat from Typhoon Fitow

    Korean Grand Prix under threat from Typhoon Fitow

    Sunday’s upcoming Korean Grand Prix is under huge threat from a powerful typhoon which is set to hit the Korean peninsula just hours before the race.

    At present, Typhoon Fitow is east of the Philippines and is currently on a collision course with the Korean International Circuit in Yeongam. Typhoon Fitow will bring with it torrential rain and winds in excess of 100mph.

    The US Navy and Air Force Joint Typhoon Warning Centre have said that gusts could be considerably higher than predicted which is a major concern giving all the advertising boards posted around the circuit.

    The circuit is also built on reclaimed marshland just a few miles from the East China Sea which means that coastal flooding could also pose a major threat.

    Weather website accuweather.com reported that Typhoon Fitow is expected to gather strength as it heads inland, adding that, “South Korea could be dealt a direct blow from the storm leading to flooding rainfall, damaging winds and mudslides.”

    If the circuit does indeed take the full force of the adverse weather conditions then it may force the race to be called off.

    The F1 race at the Korea International Circuit, about 400 kilometres south of Seoul, is scheduled to start at 3 pm local time on Sunday and qualifying on Saturday from 2pm local time. Meteorologists say that Saturday’s qualifying is likely to be affected by the approaching Typhoon Fitow while heavy wind and rain are also forecast for the southern part of South Korea on Sunday.”Whether directly or indirectly, there will be some influence by Typhoon Fitow,” a spokesman for the Korean Meteorological Centre said.

    A spokesman for the Korean Grand Prix organisers has said that safety plans are being made in preparation for the landing of Typhoon Fitow, “We are setting up plans for safety issues,” he said.

    The inaugural Korean GP held in 2010 was also affected by heavy rain. The race had to be started behind the safety car before being stopped on lap three due to a torrential downpour. The race also saw extended safety-car periods and the likes of Nico Rosberg, Mark Webber and Adrian Sutil all crashed out in the treacherous conditions.

    Ironically, Lewis Hamilton said after the Singapore GP that it would take an “Act of God” to stop Sebastian Vettel from winning. Will Typhoon Fitow be that act?

    We’ll keep you posted as news regarding Typhoon Fitow breaks.

    Typhoon Fitow heading for Korean Grand Prix circuit