Japanese Grand Prix - Suzuka

[René]

Back in Japan at the wonderful Suzuka circuit and another matchpoint for Max Verstappen!

I read somewhere it was 11 years ago Sebastian Vettel won the title in Japan and 11 years before that Michael Schumacher also winning the title in Japan and 11 years before that it was Alain Prost who won the title in Japan. Doesn’t mean anything of course but maybe nice for the number fetishists… Or maybe Checo wins again as he races with #11!

Anyway, the FIA verdict over the cost cap breach by Red Bull and Aston Martin is delayed until monday so nothing stands in the way of a Red Bull / Honda party in Japan. We’ve seen some wonderful races at Suzuka over the years so let’s hope we’ll see another one this coming sunday. Just seeing the cars going through the esses is fantastic by itself!

[chrisb]

back to another glorious circuit, there are a few I would have loved to have driven/ ridden around and this is definitely one of them, a country I have always wanted to visit and a circuit that is quite inspirational - as for the racing Honda will be wanting a home victory to seal the championship and few would bet agin them but this is motor racing and stranger things happen - I do think last years fiasco and allegations have re-fired Lewis and I can see a much more determined drive from him this weekend, the sort of challenge he would relish in,

[René]

That was an exciting qualifying. Very, very close between the top 3, there's really nothing in it. Let's hope the race shows the same picture.

Also very close between Max and Lando. Pfew, that could have ended in disaster! But why does it take so long for the stewards to make a call on this? I find that very annoying and can't help feeling that if it had been Stroll or Latifi instead of Verstappen, there would have been a penalty. And we would have known within half an hour. Not that I want Max to have a penalty but the stewarding just doesn't look firm and consistent enough... what's new.

[Carl]

Max is a sensitive lad and sometimes cries when given a harsh penalty, so the stewards decided a reprimand is appropriate for almost causing a severe collision.

Speaking of absurd opinions, yesterday during FP2 Pirelli Motorsport Director Mario Isola was interviewed at length by the Sky team. As you might expect, his knowledge was very impressive, but David Croft and Pauly Dee once again made fools of themselves by continuing to ask why tyres didn't degrade faster to force more pitstops, Paul di Resta even declaring that more pitstops made for more exciting races. Isola must have realized he was dealing with idiots, but declined to say so. Instead he politely disagreed and gave a measured and diplomatic response.

Hopefully, with the first two rows within 4/10ths of a second, it will be an exciting race!

[René]

Well, after an eventful raceday and a lot of confusion…. Max Verstappen is world champion 2022!



He was simply the best this year so well deserved and now he may even break the 13 wins in a season record.

It was a shame Ferrari couldn’t keep up, not in this race and not in the title fight but it is what it is. Hopefully Charles can win one or two more races and go for the title next year! 

[chrisb]

Another year passes another champion, max has driven very well this year But is it another year of controversy and dispute that mars the successes

[René]

I came across this short video from a fan at Suzuka who filmed the tractor on the track. Seeing this and thinking back of the Jules Bianchi tragedy, I can hardly believe it. It’s scandalous. 




And what about the ‘minor’ cost cap breach by Red Bull? We could still be talking millions overspending that could have given them an unfair advantage. And Horner says he’s surprised and disappointed…

[robmarsh]

I am still angry about it, was lost for words on Sunday. They used to start the GP around two hours earlier until Ecclestone got involved and brought it forward to appease Sky viewers. The real enthusiast won't mind getting up early. The FIA and the Japanese GP organisers have learnt nothing.

F1 is starting to pee me off big time and Horner or Red Bull, aren't helping. Their stance really makes me angry. How these guys are considered worth showing on TV as role models is beyond me.

[Carl]

Oct 10, 2022 20:31:31 GMT René said:

I came across this short video from a fan at Suzuka who filmed the tractor on the track. Seeing this and thinking back of the Jules Bianchi tragedy, I can hardly believe it. It’s scandalous.


And what about the ‘minor’ cost cap breach by Red Bull? We could still be talking millions overspending that could have given them an unfair advantage. And Horner says he’s surprised and disappointed…

Was this a case of duty calls?  Was the tractor crew too eager to do their job?  The danger was frightening.

No doubt Horner was surprised and disappointed...to have been found out.  John Dillinger was even more disappointed when surprised by the F.B.I. as he left the Chicago cinema in 1934 with the infamous woman in red who betrayed him.   

[Carl]

I agree with your comments, Rob. 

The race was a non-event, presenting only a cautious shortened parade.  They must have felt obligated to proceed with so many in attendance.  If safety is the number one priority, they should have rescheduled. In the meantime, there must be a better system of drainage that can be installed at Suzuka.

Some Sky announcers seem to think their only audience is in England, with expressions of sympathy about early hours when the race is broadcast live at 22.45 in California, too late to go back to bed. Only Jenson Button had the intelligence to say "good afternoon" to the others.

[René]

I think they should reschedule the Japanese GP to earlier in the year with a greater chance of better weather. And the start at normal hours in Japan (and Australia for that matter). The real fans will have no problems getting up early here in Europe.

Carl, I agree on a better system of drainage. That must surely be possible.

The tractor on track was insanely dangerous. How difficult can it be? No recovery vehicles on the race track as long as there are cars running. No rocket science.

[robmarsh]

I read an article in the Daily Express, so not sure how much credence one should pay to it, which suggested that Red Bull tried to squeeze more out of the budget cap by employing him as a contractor. As Newey gets around USD10 million per annum that makes quite a difference. The argument is whether he is considered one of Red Bull's top three earners. Interesting but who knows how much truth there is to it. I do believe however that the pressure from Mercedes and Ferrari will ensure that the FIA do not try and dodge the issue.

[Carl]

Oct 13, 2022 9:33:36 GMT robmarsh said:

I read an article in the Daily Express, so not sure how much credence one should pay to it, which suggested that Red Bull tried to squeeze more out of the budget cap by employing him as a contractor. As Newey gets around USD10 million per annum that makes quite a difference. The argument is whether he is considered one of Red Bull's top three earners. Interesting but who knows how much truth there is to it. I do believe however that the pressure from Mercedes and Ferrari will ensure that the FIA do not try and dodge the issue.

From billion dollar babies Mateschitz and Yoovidhya down through top management, corrosive corruption is endemic at Red Bull

[mikael]

Oct 11, 2022 16:46:49 GMT René said:

Carl, I agree on a better system of drainage. That must surely be possible.

I cannot resist commenting on this; because what I have heard is that Suzuka's drainage system really is state of the art. The asphalt should be of a special porous type, through which the rain water can run through, down to underlying drainage channels. But when it rains in Japan, most of the times it really "rains cats and dogs". Hence I think it can't be helped. Maybe the point to look at really is the cars ... Looking at the summary of the race (which, admittedly, is the only thing I have seen), the spray from the present cars really is amazing.