Japanese Grand Prix 2010, Suzuka - Race 16/19

[Glaucus]

Suzuka, 8-10 October

Friday 8 October
Practice one: 0155-0335, BBC Red Button/online
Practice two: 0555-0735, BBC Red Button/online

Saturday 9 October
Practice three: 0255-0405, BBC Red Button/online
Qualifying: 0500-0730, BBC One/online and BBC Radio 5 live sport extra/online
Qualifying re-run: 1300-1415, BBC One

Sunday 10 October
Race: 0600-0915, BBC One/online and BBC Radio 5 live/online
Race re-run: 1400-1600, BBC One


Standings:

Track:

Track Diagram

Circuit information
Lap data
Lap length 5.807km (3.608 miles)
Race laps 53
Race distance 307.471km (191.054 miles)
Lap record* 1’31.540 (228.372 kph) by Kimi Räikkönen, 2005
Fastest lap 1’28.954 (235.011 kph) by Michael Schumacher, 2006
Maximum speed 315 kph (195.732 mph)
Car performance
Full throttle 63%
Tyre wear High
Brake wear Low
Downforce level 8/10
40
Fuel use per lap 2.567kg
Strategy
Pit lane time loss 18.7 seconds
2010 prime tyre (No stripe) Hard (2009: Hard)
2010 option tyre (Striped) Soft (2009: Soft)

Japan preview quotes - Virgin, HRT, Bridgestone, Williams & more
With just four rounds remaining and both titles far from decided, the championship heads to the legendary Suzuka circuit for next weekend’s Japanese Grand Prix. The fans are fanatical, in the truest sense of the word; the track is widely considered one of the best on the calendar; and it even has its own theme park. No wonder everyone in the paddock is itching to get there. The drivers and senior team members look ahead to the race and discuss their prospects…

What F1 Fanatics say about… Suzuka
Suzuka is of the most popular tracks among drivers and fans alike. But it’s not the easiest race track for fans outside Japan to visit.

Changing tracks: Suzuka (Pictures)
Suzuka Circuit is little different today from the version first used for the Japanese Grand Prix in 1987.


Suzuka - Team Preview
Bridgestone
Cosworth

McLaren Not uploaded yet
Sauber
Mercedes
Ferrari Not uploaded yet
Red Bull Not uploaded yet
Williams
Renault Not uploaded yet
Force India Not uploaded yet
Toro Rosso Not uploaded yet
Lotus Not uploaded yet
Hispania
Virgin


Classic F1
Classic F1 Japan 1990 - Senna wins World Championship
Ayrton Senna clinches the drivers' world title after he and championship rival Alain Prost spin off at the first corner in Suzuka.

Classic F1 Japan 1993 - Ayrton Senna wins in Suzuka
World champion Ayrton Senna beats Alain Prost in Suzuka as Mika Häkkinen claims his first podium with a third-placed finish for McLaren.

Classic F1 Japan 1995 - Schumacher wins for Benetton
Michael Schumacher equals Nigel Mansell's record of nine victories in a season as Benetton win the constructors' championship in the penultimate race of the season.

Highlights - Japanese Grand Prix
Red Bull's Sebastian Vettel leads from start to finish to win the Japanese Grand Prix at Suzuka.

Technical Changes - Singapore Grand Prix

Weather Forecast

Forecast Summary:
Emphasis: Unsettled conditions developing through Saturday and overnight into Sunday, bringing a threat of heavy rain and windy weather; albeit possibly cleared (or clearing) by race start.

Friday: Sunny spells; mostly dry but with a chance of a few showers later PM. Chance of PPN 30%. Max 24C. Wind light, SSE.

Saturday: Turning progressively cloudier and breezier, with showery outbreaks of rain later, potentially heavy. Likely to become very wet & windy overnight. Chance of PPN 40%. Max 21C. Wind freshening SE.

Sunday: Further outbreaks of rain & windy through the morning, easing later. Potentially dry and maybe a tad brighter by race start, but with a wet circuit then drying(?) Chance of PPN 50%. Max 22C. Wind moderating, predominantly SSW.


News

• Suzuka changes kerbing at Degner
  Japanese Grand Prix organisers have made changes to the kerbing on the exit of the first Degner Curve ahead of this weekend’s race.
• Horner: ’09 wins no guide to next races
  Red Bull Racing boss Christian Horner says his team’s dominant form in the closing races of 2009 doesn’t necessarily make it the favourite to win at the same circuits this year.
• McLaren ready to 'attack' final races
  Martin Whitmarsh says McLaren’s recent run of one-car finishes have only served to strengthen its resolve and says it is in “attack” mode for the decisive final four races of the season.
• McLaren have “big test package for Friday”
  McLaren are hoping to keep their championship changes alive by bringing a series of upgrades to the MP4-25 at Suzuka.
• Jenson Button and Lewis Hamilton 'still in title hunt'
  McLaren managing director Jonathan Neale says they are putting "everything and the kitchen sink" into keeping their drivers in the world title race.
• Points gap not so bad after all – Lewis
  Lewis Hamilton has reappraised his championship chances following his disappointing Singapore Grand Prix, insisting his position is not as precarious as he first thought – adding that he is now ready to make up for his recent setbacks in the remaining races.
• Button: No single race is pivotal
  Jenson Button believes this year’s ultra-close title battle will be decided by consistent performance over the final four grands prix, and says no single race is pivotal to the outcome.
• Ferrari calls on Massa to help Alonso
  Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo has called on Felipe Massa to play a key role in team-mate Fernando Alonso’s world championship bid by starting to finish between the Spaniard and his title rivals.
• Alonso: Title fight will get tougher
  Fernando Alonso has warned Ferrari that the hardest part of its title push is yet to come, and that there can be no room for complacency despite recent form.
• Renault MD Bob Bell leaves team
  Renault’s managing director Bob Bell has left the Anglo-French squad, the team announced on Wednesday.
• Petrov admits it's now time to deliver
  Vitaly Petrov admits he needs to deliver a series of strong results in the season’s final four rounds if he is to convince his Renault bosses to hand him a contract renewal for 2011.
• Liuzzi: Suzuka big chance for Force India
  The Japanese Grand Prix represents a big chance for Force India to pull away from resurgent Williams in the fight for sixth place in the constructors’ championship.
• Lotus doesn't regret taking on big guns
  Heikki Kovalainen and the Lotus team say they have absolutely no regrets about taking on Michael Schumacher's Mercedes and Sebastien Buemi's Toro Rosso in Singapore even though a brush with the latter caused the dramatic fire that ended Kovalainen's race.
• HRT yet to confirm Suzuka drivers
  There are signs HRT may be consdering another change to their driver line-up ahead of the Japanese Grand Prix.

Driver Change

The track and TV coverage starts

Technical changes Japan

FIA Thursday press conference - Japan
Drivers: Lewis Hamilton (McLaren), Kamui Kobayashi (Sauber), Michael Schumacher (Mercedes), Adrian Sutil (Force India), Sakon Yamamoto (HRT)


FIA Friday press conference - Japan
Team representatives: Norbert Haug (Mercedes), Robert Fernley (Force India), Adam Parr (Williams), Franz Tost (Toro Rosso) and Hiroshi Yasukawa (Bridgestone).

Friday practice - selected team and driver quotes
Red Bull ruled the roost in Japan, with team mates Sebastian Vettel and Mark Webber dominating the timesheets, although Renault’s Robert Kubica did his best to keep the duo honest. There was drama too for McLaren’s Lewis Hamilton who crashed during the morning session and only completed 17 laps over the course of the day. All the drivers, and senior team personnel, reflect on their early progress at Suzuka…



Practice 1

Practice 2


Practice 3

Qaulifying

Race

Japanese Grand Prix in 90 seconds
Short highlights as Red Bull's Sebastian Vettel reignites his world championship hopes with an emphatic victory in the Japanese Grand Prix at Suzuka.

Highlights - Japanese Grand Prix
Highlights as Sebastian Vettel re-ignites his world championship hopes with an emphatic victory in the Japanese Grand Prix ahead of team-mate Mark Webber.

IPlayer - Formula 1 - The Japanese Grand Prix
Lee McKenzie introduces coverage of the Japanese Grand Prix from the Suzuka circuit. McLaren's Lewis Hamilton is a previous winner, although his victory came at the Fuji Speedway circuit in 2007. Last year he managed a third-place finish here, but it was Red Bull's Sebastian Vettel who took the honours ahead of Jarno Trulli. With Ferrari's Fernando Alonso another previous winner at this famously-demanding circuit, expect the competition to be fierce as the season nears its climax.

Top three drivers - Japanese Grand Prix
Reaction from the top three drivers as Sebastian Vettel wins the Japanese Grand Prix ahead of Red Bull team-mate Mark Webber and Ferrari's Fernando Alonso.

IPlayer Formula 1 - 2010 - The Japan Grand Prix - Forum
Lee McKenzie presents the post-race forum alongside a pane of experts and pundits, discussing the Japanese Grand Prix.

Lucas Di Grassi crashes on way to grid in Japan
Virgin Racing's Lucas di Grassi's Japanese Grand Prix ends before he has even begun as he crashes into a barrier on his way to the grid.


Standings

 

[utajoker]

it will take a lot for red bull not to win this, hamilton needs to win this though. lets hope the mclaren upgrades work.

 

[Ceryndrion]

For either McLaren driver to win this championship, they pretty much need to lock out each of the last races, ideally with the other contenders meeting with 'racing incidents'.

Which really leaves things as a redbull/ferrari faceoff, Alonso has the experience, Webber has the car, who will win? I don't know, I don't overly care, what I do know is that it is going to be a very close run thing.


In other news, interesting to see Kimi stating that he has no plans to return to F1 with Renault, and claiming that Renault are trying to cash in on his name..

 

[elmuzzy66.]

I just want a non ferrari win.

 

[cokebottles]

Does anybody know how long it usually takes the Grand Prix show to appear on iPlayer after the race finishes (at 0915)?? I would like to watch the show around 10am ideally as I have plans later in the day when the re-run is scheduled on BBC1

 

[elmuzzy66.]

Does anybody know how long it usually takes the Grand Prix show to appear on iPlayer after the race finishes (at 0915)?? I would like to watch the show around 10am ideally as I have plans later in the day when the re-run is scheduled on BBC1

I think its the normal 1 hour after its been shown, i think.

 

[Glaucus]

I think its the normal 1 hour after its been shown, i think.

yep usually an hour after it finishes.

 

[robbiemc]

Kimi 100% not driving for Renault
Not a massive surprise really.

I can see how the conversation went:
Renault: "We'd like you to drive for us next season"
Kimi: "$35m, no sponsorhip duties, no car feedback work, no mentoring and if you agree then I promise to give you %25 effort"
Renault: "Guards, escort this man off the premisis immediately"

 

[Duke]

Suzuka is a great track and a real test of the cars over a mix of quick corners and few tight ones.

Think I'll catch up on the practice with red button

 

[englishpremier]

They do not do this when there are re-runs. They will only put the re-run on iplayer, meaning you won't get the race until later in the afternoon.

I hate this as the re-runs are crap and i'm sure they speed them up. Also if there is a red flag or other incident, they tend to cut out this time in the re-run.

 

[cokebottles]

They do not do this when there are re-runs. They will only put the re-run on iplayer, meaning you won't get the race until later in the afternoon.

I hate this as the re-runs are crap and i'm sure they speed them up. Also if there is a red flag or other incident, they tend to cut out this time in the re-run.

This is rubbish if true. Does anyone know if this is 100% the case for this weeks up coming race.... I might email the BBC if people here do not know... MADNESS I TELL YOU!!

 

[ins0mn1ac]

Am I the only sadact then who sets my alarm for 5am on Suzuka weekend?

 

[el_dazza]

Kimi 100% not driving for Renault
Not a massive surprise really.

I can see how the conversation went:
Renault: "We'd like you to drive for us next season"
Kimi: "$35m, no sponsorhip duties, no car feedback work, no mentoring and if you agree then I promise to give you %25 effort"
Renault: "Guards, escort this man off the premisis immediately"

Don't forget the unlimited ice-cream and cans of coke

Am I the only sadact then who sets my alarm for 5am on Suzuka weekend?

Nope, because I have to be at work for 6. <rageface>

 

[benhomer737]

i love this track, its a lot more tricky than some of the others!

 

[el_dazza]

I know everyone will remember it, but it's one my favourite passes ever:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AkjTUS7wFs8

 

[Glaucus]

Am I the only sadact then who sets my alarm for 5am on Suzuka weekend?

Usually I would, but at a wedding. So will be passed out.

 

[Duke]

I know everyone will remember it, but it's one my favourite passes ever:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AkjTUS7wFs8

 

[Pete19s]

Am I the only sadact then who sets my alarm for 5am on Suzuka weekend?

Nope, its a religious thing for me. Same for Melbourne! Nothing like watching it live although this weekend I am off to Brands Hatch for the final weekend of the season so will miss the race! Still having the week off means I get to watch all the practise sessions instead

 

[SPARC]

Am I the only sadact then who sets my alarm for 5am on Suzuka weekend?

Nope, I and others will be right there with you I'm looking forward to it. I might just get up earlier and do a few laps on the game before hand

60% chance of rain ... I'll take it

 

[sunama]

I know everyone will remember it, but it's one my favourite passes ever:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AkjTUS7wFs8

WOW.