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Post by René on Oct 10, 2019 8:13:35 GMT
Surely one of the highlights of the year; the Japanese Grand Prix at the majestic Suzuka circuit. Can Charles Leclerc put his Ferrari on pole again or will it be Sebastian Vettel now his confidence is back? Or is this track more suitable to the Mercedes and can Lewis Hamilton beat the Ferraris with another magic lap? And what about Red Bull Honda? Pole position seems out of reach but a podium finish should be possible and who knows, maybe even a win if it rains… Best of the rest? I would say Renault or McLaren but don’t count out Toro Rosso Honda. The Japanese will do everything in their power to have a good result at their home race. But of course, the biggest question is: will the typhoon hit Suzuka, yes or no? Max in Ginther's Honda RA272. How small Richie must have been!  |
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Post by mikael on Oct 10, 2019 11:14:56 GMT
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Post by Carl on Oct 10, 2019 20:33:54 GMT
I hate to think that a "Super Typhoon" will win, forever altering the F1 record book. I have no favorites and hope the best driver wins, with best spectator Mikael sharing the podium and champagne.  |
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Post by mikael on Oct 11, 2019 1:50:23 GMT
Presently it looks like Saturday is going to be a "throwaway", as the typhoon (no. 19 of 2019) then probably is going to hit the Suzuka area "head on" - but Sunday looks OK. Update: Yes, all racing activities Saturday have been canceled ...  11日 = 11th (October), 9時 = 9AM, etc.; and (金) = Friday, (土) = Saturday, (日) = Sunday, ... |
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Post by René on Oct 11, 2019 9:46:35 GMT
What a shame Mikael that there will be no action on the saturday although very understandable.
It could be that the FP2 times make up the starting grid. Mercedes looks very strong and so does Red Bull. Ferrari lacking a bit behind, also in the long runs. But if it rains on sunday anything can happen.
Have a great race weekend Mikael!
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Post by mikael on Oct 11, 2019 13:43:08 GMT
What a shame Mikael that there will be no action on the saturday although very understandable. It could be that the FP2 times make up the starting grid. Mercedes looks very strong and so does Red Bull. Ferrari lacking a bit behind, also in the long runs. But if it rains on sunday anything can happen. Have a great race weekend Mikael!
Thanks a lot, René.
Yes, so far Bottas / Hamilton and Vettel / Leclerc are very evenly matched. It will be interesting.
Well, I have arrived at nearby Nagoya. That's a relief. Tomorrow nothing will move; planes and the "Shinkansen" train will be stationary - so I had to leave today, although there will be no racing tomorrow. (As the weather worsens, it seems to become a "work in the hotel room" day.) So all one can do is to hope that it has cleared up by Sunday morning.
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Post by chrisb on Oct 11, 2019 15:40:03 GMT
I do so hope the weather does improve for Sunday Mikael, two reasons, the Japanese GP remains one of my favourites and secondly the rugby...sorry, three reasons, that you have a brilliant time and we get to see your splendid photos,
I read that Max didn't enjoy the experience - is that right?
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Post by Jamie on Oct 12, 2019 6:29:06 GMT
Stay safe Mikael. I hope Sunday serves up a great race for you (and us all)!
Looking forward to the pictures.
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Post by robmarsh on Oct 12, 2019 7:26:05 GMT
Enjoy Mikael and stay safe. I love the Japanese GP.
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Post by mikael on Oct 12, 2019 12:07:11 GMT
Thank you all for your kind greetings.
The Eastern part of Mie Prefecture - in particular Ise - has been hit rather hard by the typhoon (severe floodings); but the Northern part - whereto Suzuka belongs - looks OK. And the weather forecast for Sunday has predicted "sunny and dry" (and 0% chance of rain!!) from early morning, so both the Qualifying (from 10:00) and the Race look safe.
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Post by Carl on Oct 13, 2019 20:00:05 GMT
Without Martin Brundle, the confederacy of fools prevailed uninterrupted by composed analysis. Watching at 11pm, I particularly enjoyed several times being wished a good early morning. These are not professional broadcasters at work, but subordinate amateurs acquiescing to the inane obsessions of David Croft, such as the last time someone on the third row had won a Grand Prix after having a pedicure. The unenlightened broadcast anchor was stunned into silence when reminded that Charles Leclerc's damaged front wing had recently been replaced.  The highlights for me were the composed dominance of Valtteri Bottas and Charles Leclerc's brilliant pass at 130R |
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Post by robmarsh on Oct 14, 2019 7:29:13 GMT
I may have to watch this again as I found myself dozing off a few times. Excellent drive by Bottas and Albon. Ferrari messed up again, hopefully they will treat the rest of the season as a practice for next year so they can iron out their amateurish mistakes.
Williams have truly shafted Robert Kubica all season and it is starting to come out. The team has gone way way down in my estimation.
Dare I say it but the rugby game between Japan and Scotland was way above the GP in terms of grin factor and excitement. Well done to Japan, they deserved the win. Commiserations to Scotland and to you Chris.
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Post by mikael on Oct 14, 2019 11:24:49 GMT
After a pitch-dark and very wet (to say the least) Saturday - spent in a hotel room in Nagoya - Sunday finally arrived with blue, blue skies - not a single cloud in sight - which seemed almost surreal, considering Saturday's weather. As the photos will show, there were great crowds of spectators, as always.
I thought it was a great race. For once, a whole race without a single safety car!
Bottas's "runaway" start was met with a great roar - really nice. The clash of Leclerc and Verstappen at turn 2 (creating a second roar) was unfortunate; but good, again, that it didn't need a safety car.
Otherwise, no more dramas - as seen from "the Esses" - but it's simply wonderful to study the precision of the driving of the World's best drivers through this very challenging part of the track.
Hamilton's reeling in on Vettel during the final laps was, for me, the highlight of the race. Here we really got the dual that we have been waiting for; and Vettel drew the longest straw. But it was clear that Vettel really was on the limit at the times when Hamilton was real close. The Ferrari was not absolutely stable through the last cornes (of the Esses), but Vettel kept it under control nonetheless. Just wonderful to witness! (Related to this: I didn't expect Hamilton's final pitstop and thought, before this stop, that he would clinch the victory. Was it really necessary?)
Finally, an observation about the sound (my hobby horse, as you know by now): in earlier years, I often felt that the Mercedes works cars sounded more "sharp" than any of the other cars. But this year, I felt that all cars sounded the same - more or less. It may be an indication that Ferrari, Renault, and Honda largely have caught up with Mercedes (and, of course, it is said that Ferrari have managed even a bit more than this). The Toro Rosso cars, however, emitted a lovely "bang" at final corner of the Esses - great entertainment. The Red Bull's didn't do this, so probably the exhaust arrangement is different.
Another casual observation: although the cars appear so overly-long on photos, when seen fly-by "in the flesh", I think they look really great! They give associations to "missiles", in a way.
On another matter, I don't think this year's Ferrari's matte-red finish looks well (but of course, that isn't the purpose either; apparently, it's all about performance.) They look a bit like old red cars that have been standing - outside, unprotected - under the burning sun for years (as seen often here in Japan).
Coming Sunday, a great crowd came out - at last.
A "sea" of people, as always at Suzuka.
View from "the Esses", with the "Honda tribune" to the right, and the Turn 1-2 grandstand to the left.
Drivers Parade - Hamilton.
Drivers Parade - Grosjean.
Drivers Parade - Giovinazzi.
Drivers Parade - Kubica.
The two Ferrari, trailed by Hamilton.
Hamilton reeling in on Vettel in the final laps was, for me, the highlight of the race.
Gasly at the slow-down lap.
The Honda exhibition was a little disappointing this year. There was just this one-year old Torro Rosso, and a 1:1 plastic model of the 2019 Red Bull.
Clearly just a (1:1) plastic model of the 2019 Red Bull, but it attracted a good deal of interest nonetheless.
A specimen of Honda's 2018 engine.
Going home after the race - thank you for this year!
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Post by Carl on Oct 14, 2019 17:34:07 GMT
Mikael, The timing of the weekend could hardly have been better! What a difference a day makes. Your photos inspire everyone to one day be there and enjoy probably the very best Formula One venue. Envy is in the air...  Do you know the make of the car in which Robert Kubica rode? Is it a Brooklands competition Austin? Cheers, Carl |
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Post by robmarsh on Oct 14, 2019 17:57:22 GMT
Do you know the make of the car in which Robert Kubica rode? Is it a Brooklands competition Austin? Cheers, Carl Whatever car it was it looks more competitive than his Williams |
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