Typhoon veers away from Suzuka

SUZUKA, Japan -- A powerful typhoon veered away from the site of the Japanese Grand Prix, boding well for Sunday's Formula One race after organizers were forced to postpone qualifying.

Forecasts had indicated that Typhoon Ma-on was moving directly for Suzuka, but on Saturday it headed instead toward Nagoya and Tokyo.

Organizers closed the track Saturday, canceling the regular prequalifying and qualifying sessions. They were rescheduled to take place before the race Sunday, a first in Formula One.

Teams had been advised to stay in their hotels while the typhoon approached. Winds of more than 100 mph and more than 16 inches of rain were expected to hit the track area if the typhoon struck, according to the Meteorological Agency.

But by mid-afternoon Saturday -- about 24 hours before the race -- the weather cleared in the Suzuka area and the sun was shining. There were still concerns, however, that Sunday's schedule could be affected if the Suzuka circuit is flooded by all the rain.

Some drivers hoped to exercise during their enforced layoff. Seven-time world champion Michael Schumacher was denied a chance to play indoor soccer because a local gym had been booked for other activities. That left Ferrari, Minardi, Jordan and the rest of the teams to hang around the hotel with little to do but watch TV.

Schumacher was fastest in practice Friday when more than half the 25 cars had some kind of sliding problems or went off the track on the 3.609-mile course.

Schumacher has spun in the last two races, and had another spinout in qualifying at the new Shanghai circuit. Teammate Rubens Barrichello finished first in each race to give Ferrari a total of 14 victories in 16 races so far this season.

Barrichello had the pole last year in capturing this event and has won the last two races -- the Italian Grand Prix and Chinese Grand Prix.