Poll: Official 2023 Japanese Grand Prix Thread - Suzuka International - Round 17

[chrismscotland]

Suzuka Circuit​

When was the track built?​

In 1962. Soichiro Honda, whose car company you may have heard of, was a man with big ambitions. Seeking to turn Honda into an automotive powerhouse, he decided his company should have its own test track. Dutchman John Hugenholtz got the nod, and drew up the now-iconic ‘crossover’ Suzuka track – although original drawings saw the track pass over and under itself a full three times, which would have been sweet!

When was its first Grand Prix?​

Despite most people agreeing that Suzuka is a worthy successor to sliced bread in the ‘Best Thing’ stakes, the Japanese track was a relative latecomer to the F1 calendar, making its first appearance in 1987. Nigel Mansell would remember that weekend well, after he suffered a crash in qualifying that ruled him out of the race, gifting that year’s championship to his bitter rival Nelson Piquet.

What’s the circuit like?​

Show us a racing a driver who doesn’t love Suzuka, and we’ll show you a liar. The high-speed track remains one of the ultimate driving challenges, with the snaking ‘S’ Curves, the two commitment-rewarding Degners and the white-knuckle ride of 130R all highlights in a series of highlights at what is one of F1’s seminal tracks. And hey, it’s got a crossover, which is always cool, right?

Why go?​

A track that has witnessed an unfair share of legendary F1 moments (not least between Messrs Prost and Senna), a unique set of fans with an unabashed commitment to playing Formula 1 dress-up, a Ferris wheel, and great food. Okay, for most of us it’s a long slog to get there, but surely a better question is: ‘Why not go?’

Where is the best place to watch?​

Take your pick. Grandstands D and E overlook the ‘S’ Curves, giving you an amazing chance to watch downforce and commitment working in perfect harmony as the drivers negotiate the sinuous turns. Elsewhere, the left flank of Grandstand G places you at the inside of 130R, which should be a bit of a treat, while if it’s overtaking you want, Grandstand I will give you a view of the incident-attracting Hairpin.

Japanese Grand Prix 2023 - Schedule Information & TV Broadcast Times​

Channel 4 Highlights - Broadcast Times​

Saturday 23rd September - Japanese GP Qualifying Highlights - 10:35
Sunday 24th September - Japanese GP Race Highlights - 12:30

Weekend Weather Forecast (as at 22:30 on 19/09/2023)​

Track Diagram & Information​

Previous Race Highlights​

• Japanese Grand Prix 2022 - Race Highlights
• Japanese Grand Prix 2019 - Race Highlights
• Japanese Grand Prix 2018 - Race Highlights

Championship Standings​

Drivers Championship​

Constructors Championship​

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Just a reminder, but consider it a warning - can we not have any further derogatory name calling of drivers, team bosses and the like. We don't expect you to like every driver/team, but at least keep comments respectful.

If you don't follow this warning, you will lose access to the race thread and the thread for the following race as well.

This includes but is not limited to such terms including Lulu, Crashstappen, Karen Horner, Whingey Spice etc.

 

[chrismscotland]

It’s going to be Lawson and stroll. Qatar is ricciardos target now going from what Lawson said in his interview

He’s going to make it hard for teams to not give him a seat next year if he continues performing

The reality is Lawson is going to be on the sidelines as Red Bull's reserve, not sure I agree with it but its where everything has been pointing this week.
Personally I'd axe Tsunodo and put Lawson alongside Ricciardo next year but for some reason AT don't seem to want to do that.

I can't see him being allowed to leave like Albon was, Albon had effectively been rejected after being in the AT/RB team for two seasons - Lawson is still seen as a prospect, especially given his performances.

 

[chrismscotland]

Normal service resumed - I guess we can knock any of the conspiracy theories about Red Bull and the clamping down of flexi-wings affecting their performance then......
And by normal service I mean Perez looking utterly poor again and nowhere near Max, I'm almost beginning to wonder if Christian Horner is Sergio Perez dad, surely there's no other reason to keep him on at this point

 

[chrismscotland]

Any other team would have fired Helmet by now. The fact they haven't shows they are treating Perez like dirt. To have one of the most senior members of your team publicly make xenophobic slurs against your driver and not to anything about it is treating the victim like dirt.

Or Sao Paulo '22 when not reprimanding Verstappen for not giving the place back. Or after Perez won Azerbaijan '22 Horner was on the radio to Verstappen first to apologise to Max that "Checo got lucky with the safety car". Or when Perez was leading the Dutch GP this year and they allowed Verstappen behind to stop and undercut him when the weather was changing. Perez was leading, and should have first choice on strategy, but they didn't even consult him. There's a million other examples but I don't have the time nor inclination to find them all for you because nowadays the articles and social media stuff that you find when you search for them is just nonsense. It's fairly common parlance that RB treat Verstappen over any second driver, I'm not entirely sure why I need to explain that to a RB fan

Does anyone really care? We know Red Bull is the Max show and will be until he retires or moves on, its little different to how Schumacher's team mates were treated as a sideshow in his Ferrari days, although I will concede that the Marko "slur" in recent weeks was ridiculous.

Red Bull aren't bothered about having an equal quickest driver in the same way Mercedes weren't bothered when they had Bottas alongside Hamilton. The difference is that Perez just doesn't seem to be consistent enough over a season as a second driver, something you couldn't have levelled at Bottas who was uber steady and reliable.

As your clearly not an RB fan I don't understand why your so upset about it. If Perez feels strongly enough then he can go and look for another team.

 

[chrismscotland]

Another weekend another Logan Sargent car to rebuild, I understand giving him until the end of the year but he looks out of his depth, will be surprised if he's there next season.

 

[chrismscotland]

I watched the highlights and fell asleep Although I did spend all morning knocking through a bedroom fireplace by hand and finally got my fryup right before. So it was bound to happen.

Question re Perez. So they un-retired the car to serve his penalty, because they might have been given a grid drop next race instead? So why on earth if the FIA can give grid drops in the following race if a penalty is not served, did they not give Verstappen the appropriate penalties/grid drop this race seen as they admitted he should have had the penalties for impeding in Singapore?

Also, a very real chance for Hamilton to get P2 in the drivers championship, in what the fourth fastest car? Now that’s class.

I don't think I've ever seen a penalty that wasn't handed out for a race then carried forward to the next weekend so I can't imagine that it was an option.
Also the steward/stewards admitted they made a mistake long after the weekend was done, there probably was zero they could do to apply a penalty anyway.

 

[chrismscotland]

Feels like unless there's another "Singapore" that the Red Bull (Max anyway) will continue to scamper off into the lead while McLaren, Ferrari and Mercedes battle over the podium places, with some tracks suiting one of the teams better.

Red Bull still appear too fast to be caught for the win unless something happens, if Perez can find some from I've expect him to get 2nd but thats a big if as he just looks out of talent and or luck at the moment on a track. 2nd coud easily go to Hamilton or potentially Sainz with some good results - discounting Alonso, he's closest to Hamilton just now but Aston look spent this year now.