[Official] Japanese Grand Prix 2022: Grand Prix Weekend Thread - Round 18 of 22

[Born Racer]

It's one of my favourite circuits - the rollercoaster ride that is Suzuka. I apparently never get time to write a preview at this time of year, thanks to work, but still - we will much enjoy Japan again. And maybe see Max Verstappen crowned champion again.

[Tourer]

It is definitely a roller-coaster ride and a circuit that rewards the committed, that's for sure. The Japanese fans give it a "full on" atmosphere too, then there is the downhill sloping start area (& downhill sloping pit lane) to add more to the mix.
Really enjoy Suzuka - just wish they'd stop scheduling it on the same day as Bathurst - means don't get to see it truly live pretty much all years, although it IS nice to have it pretty much in the same time zone and not the usual late at night.

[tux]

Latifi took the wrong course, didnt he?

He says the car was feeling strange but it looked suspicious..

[S griffin]

Fred fastest in the FP1

Now listening to FP2 on the radio. Currently wet, but drying, although more rain is expected. Portent of things to come?

[chillibowl]

always great team posters for this race! apologies if this is messing up sizing on peoples browser page.

alfa:


merc:


alpha:


and some helmets

Albon:
https://streamable.com/po4y9l

Seb with a classic look - his helmet website is great btw:


gonna miss this guy!

[gert]

Originally Posted by chillibowl

Seb - his helmet website is great

Agreed, it certainly is!
Thanks for pointing it out

[bjohnsonsmith]

Great to have Suzuka back on the calendar. I'm looking forward to the race weekend but I'm not looking forward to a 7:00am start time for qualifying or a 6:00am start time for the race.

Can Verstappen do it this time? All he needs to do is win the race, which will give him a total 366 points. If Leclerc is second with maximum points, 19, he will have 256. So even if Verstappen were to DNF the last 4 races and Leclerc get maximum points, 104, Verstappen will still become WDC this Sunday.

[S griffin]

Vettel has hinted he might make a one off return to F1 in a future GP at Suzuka. But it would either need a team that was willing or some exceptional circumstances

[Rusty Nail]

Originally Posted by bjohnsonsmith

Great to have Suzuka back on the calendar. I'm looking forward to the race weekend but I'm not looking forward to a 7:00am start time for qualifying or a 6:00am start time for the race.

You'll get over it!
In Kiwiland MOST of the F1 races start about 1am! Coverage finishes about 4:30 am
Japan is a welcome but rare exception, race starts around 6pm.
Roll on more Asia Pacific daytime events

[Tourer]

Originally Posted by Rusty Nail

You'll get over it!
In Kiwiland MOST of the F1 races start about 1am! Coverage finishes about 4:30 am
Japan is a welcome but rare exception, race starts around 6pm.
Roll on more Asia Pacific daytime events

[S griffin]

I too am glad to have Suzuka back, we’ve missed having a Japanese GP. Like with Oz and Canada, I will appreciate it’s return. Just didn’t feel like a complete F1 season without Japan

[Dixie Flatline]

Verstappen weaving in the middle of 130R and Norris came whizzing by and was almost collected.

Stewards will investigate after the session.

[crmalcolm]

Originally Posted by Dixie Flatline

Verstappen weaving in the middle of 130R and Norris came whizzing by and was almost collected.

Stewards will investigate after the session.

Exclude him from the championship!!!

[peebee2]

Originally Posted by crmalcolm

Exclude him from the championship!!!

And last year’s too obviously.

[E.B]

Originally Posted by Dixie Flatline

Verstappen weaving in the middle of 130R and Norris came whizzing by and was almost collected.

Stewards will investigate after the session.

Max dodges bullet and gets a reprimand so his pole stands.... based on previous similar incidents receiving same.

Thank you Lewis.... previous was no doubt Lewis getting away with this one.

https://twitter.com/_ChrisWM_/status...7775start%3D60

[Mike Harte]

Concerning weaving, usually when drivers are attempting to put heat into tyres, I have always thought that there were rules in place that stipulated that drivers should not weave over a certain amount of the track. I can't now remember how much, but I seem to recall that it was between half and two thirds of the width.

However, if this is/was the case, it seems to me that this is not policed in F1 let alone on the UK circuits for club and national racing. Consequently, drivers are going from one side of the track to the other, and, of course, barking at the same time to put heat into the brakes which also heats up the wheels that transfers into the tyres.

[Akrapovic]

Impeding on a fast lap is losing your fastest time. Impeding someone on a warm-up is a reprimand. I think this is appropriate.

[peebee2]

Originally Posted by Akrapovic

Impeding on a fast lap is losing your fastest time. Impeding someone on a warm-up is a reprimand. I think this is appropriate.

They were lucky it wasn’t an enormous shunt.

[AndreasDavour]

It looks like pure enthusiasm gives you a few extra tenths! Seb is obviously totally in love with this track. The driver does make a difference! Imagine if he could be as enthusiastic about every track!

[Skam85]

Yes he might have even been a multiple world champion

[AndreasDavour]

Originally Posted by Skam85

Yes he might have even been a multiple world champion

[AndreasDavour]

I expect my dear McLarens to get a trouncing by the Alpines in the race, sadly. But, if we get to see Vettel do well, and maybe hear him sing, I will consider it even.

[bjohnsonsmith]

Originally Posted by Rusty Nail

You'll get over it!
In Kiwiland MOST of the F1 races start about 1am! Coverage finishes about 4:30 am
Japan is a welcome but rare exception, race starts around 6pm.
Roll on more Asia Pacific daytime events

I bailed on watching qualifying, the spirit was willing but the flesh weak. Not so for the race, I'll be watching it.

Looking at the replay of the Verstappen/Norris incident, it looked like Verstappen momentarily lost control. As Jensen Button says, Verstappen lost rear and you could hear the wheel spin and there was a massive snap of oversteer. It could have been very nasty, fortunately it wasn't and I don't think Verstappen is to blame.



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yD5mBX1SHig

[gert]

Just imagine for 1 second it was not Verstappen but Latifi. Or Tsunoda or Stroll.
Would everybody still react the way they do now?

[AndreasDavour]

I think those less celebrated drivers have done similar mistakes, and have been berated. But, even though it could have ended really nasty, it didn't, and then you sigh and berate the driver for not controlling the car.