While rain drenched the Suzuka paddock on Thursday, weather conditions could get considerably worse in the coming days if the typhoon, which has been brewing over the Pacific Ocean, edges closer to the circuit.

Forecasters suggest that the typhoon could hit Japan over the weekend, although its path remains unclear.

"The weather itself for the actual area won't be particularly very nice but in terms of the high-strength winds, they look like they should still be well off shore or further south," explained MeteoGroup forecaster Alexi Venerus.

"The actual weather condition won't be too great for Saturday because it will be getting closer and that whole system will be moving up, and that drags with it the humidity of the air, the wet air and then the clouds."

Back in 2004, Saturday's entire running at Suzuka was postponed until Sunday due to the effects of Typhoon Ma-on, while qualifying in 2010 took place on the morning of the race as a result of poor weather conditions.