The Formula One paddock is a busy place that hosts a lot of serious business over a race weekend, so we try to bring you some of the news stories you might otherwise miss ahead of the Japanese Grand Prix.

Sake bombs and FIFA: How drivers might spend a day off in Japan

SUZUKA, Japan — With Typhoon Hagibis lurking dangerously close to the eastern coastline of Japan, Formula One could be set to abandon all track activity on Saturday when heavy rain and strong winds are expected to hit the Suzuka Circuit.

It means qualifying would likely be postponed until Sunday morning, while the final practice session would almost certainly be scrapped altogether.

With the potential for a rare Saturday off due to a Category 5 typhoon, Max Verstappen and Carlos Sainz are already busy working on new plans … FIFA!

« More FIFA? » Sainz asked Verstappen in the Thursday drivers’ press conference.

« Yeah, I brought it here if you want to have a game on Saturday, » Verstappen replied. « If you’re ready to lose. »

An unimpressed Sainz quickly responded with, « hmmm… we will see. »

Verstappen and Sainz aren’t the only drivers making fresh Saturday plans. Daniel Ricciardo wishes he could spend the whole day in bed after, err, a night out on the town.

« Come Friday, they should make a decision and not wait until Saturday, » Ricciardo said in regards to the potential schedule change. « If [Saturday is called off], sake bombs on Friday night and a sleep in on Saturday. I don’t even like sake! »

Championship leader Lewis Hamilton spoke about how he recently spent some time doing karaoke, but denied he would be doing more this weekend, even if he’s not required at the track on Saturday.

« I can’t drink on the weekends when I’m racing and I usually have a few drinks before the style comes out, » Hamilton said of his karaoke skills. « But Journey is my song. I get the air guitar out. »

The FIA, Formula One, Suzuka Circuit and the Japanese Automobile Federation are all monitoring the progress of Typhoon Hagibis, but are yet to make an official decision in regards to an adjusted track schedule.

Japan’s Rugby World Cup fever hits Renault

With the Rugby World Cup currently taking place in Japan, rugby fever has been sweeping through the country at a rapid rate.

The latest to get caught up in it? Renault’s Ricciardo and reserve driver Jack Aitken. The pair were seen attempting a few passes in the Suzuka paddock on Thursday afternoon, but they might be well advised to stick with motor racing!

They might be all smiles now, but with England and Australia almost certain to square off in a quarterfinal, one of them is sure to be left disappointment.

This blog will be updated throughout the weekend.

http://www.espn.com/f1/story/_/id/27811075/japanese-gp-diary-sake-bombs-fifa-how-drivers-spend-day-off

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