Race control officials for the Japanese Grand Prix deemed conditions too unsafe to run the three-stage qualifying session this afternoon, confirming it will take place at 10am 
local time tomorrow.
FIA technical delegate Charlie Whiting confirmed the decision, which the FIA stewards will later ratify.
Faced with fading light and appalling conditions, it was simply too dangerous for drivers and teams to attempt any running, and there are hopes that conditions will considerably improve in time for tomorrow’s qualifying and race double-header.
Coincidentally, the last time a decision was made to delay qualifying until race-day morning was at the 2004 Japanese Grand Prix, where teams were forced to baton down the hatches after a typhoon threat.
[Original image via Sutton Images]
Richard Bailey
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