Japan – Presentation: All bets are off, place your bets

**« Suzuka is definitely one of the best circuits in the world and it’s also a track where I love to race. I think the car we have this year will be impressive here with the significant aerodynamic downforce and high-speed corners, so I’m eager to see what it will be like. »**

When you talk to a driver about the Suzuka circuit, you can almost be sure they’ll tell you they love it. Felipe Massa is one of those admirers, who enjoys the esses, Degner 1 and 2, Spoon, and the 130R, not to mention the slightly downhill T1-T2 sequence.

Already a pleasure to drive, the circuit in the south-central region of Japan should give even more endorphin and adrenaline peaks to the drivers this season, enough to make anyone excited, even the Brazilian driver nearing retirement.

A turn, a snapshot, a story

If you mention the long 5.807 km track to an enthusiast, they will undoubtedly take you on a virtual lap with a gentle downhill double right turn, followed by the left-right-left-right sequence of esses leading to a long uphill left turn, etc. They will also name each corner and tell you about their particularities and individual history.

Images from the #1andonly #JapaneseGP now available online https://t.co/gziSXQws7c #mercedesamgf1 #nicorosberg #f1 #f1photography pic.twitter.com/X2zlFVYzTg

— peter j fox (@peterjfoxf1) 17 octobre 2016

Last season, Nico Rosberg won the Japanese Grand Prix ahead of Verstappen and Hamilton. But aside from his victory, it was a photo of his single-seater that captured attention at the end of the race weekend. Taken during the first practice session on Friday, Peter Fox’s photograph in Degner 1 revealed all the beauty of the king of motorsports as well as all the physical challenges the machine faces on the track.

Vertical and lateral force constraints, tire deformation, suspension compression… So many technical feats that engineers accomplish to create a single-seater capable of withstanding invisible impacts. In this photo, one might even be surprised that the right front wheel is no longer in contact with the ground despite minimal ground clearance and the vacuum effect of the vortex created by the floor that presses the car to the asphalt.

With significantly greater aerodynamic support this season and faster cornering than last season, we expect to see even more spectacular shots at the end of the weekend, even if it won’t be Nico Rosberg’s Mercedes.

To continue discussing turns 8 and 9, known as Degner 1 and 2, let’s give credit where credit is due. Ernst Degner was an East German motorcycle racer who competed between 1957 and 1966. Initially a rider for the MZ (GDR) manufacturer, he decided, after the 1961 season and losing a title with his team, to flee East Germany for the other side of the wall as he disagreed with the communist regime of the GDR.

Exfiltrated during the penultimate Grand Prix, which takes place in Sweden, he joins the Japanese manufacturer Suzuki, with whom he will develop the machine and even offer the brand its first title during the 1962 season. At the Japanese Grand Prix held in Suzuka the following season, he is involved in a major incident at the turns that now bear his name. The tank of his motorcycle explodes, Degner survives and continues competing. In 1966, again at the Japanese Grand Prix but at the Fuji Speedway, he suffers a serious accident that forces him to end his career.

For English-speaking readers, here is the more complete story of the driver

A Grand Prix to Rule Them All

With four consecutive wins for his rival, an immediate elimination in Singapore, and starting from last place in Malaysia after not participating in the qualifications, it can’t be said that Sebastian Vettel’s path has not been fraught with obstacles since the beginning of the second half of the season.

The German has lost the championship lead in Belgium and there are doubts about his chances of being crowned at the end of the season with five races remaining. Fortunately for him, after the incident with Lance Stroll on the victory lap in Sepang, his gearbox was found to be usable this weekend. It’s one less penalty chance for him, though.

On the contrary, all signs are positive for Lewis Hamilton who, despite a lack of performance from his car over the last two race weekends, benefited from favorable circumstances to push him towards a fourth world championship. While Marina Bay was a track truly dreaded by Mercedes, Sepang was not particularly so, which didn’t prevent the Briton from letting a victory slip away to the benefit of Max Verstappen and a resurgent Red Bull.

If the team from Brackley had any doubts about the recent developments of its car and its very design for recent and upcoming races, it is indeed the team from Maranello that is currently in trouble. A double retirement on a track where a one-two finish was highly achievable and two major reliability issues this weekend make for a heavy toll for the Scuderia, and Sergio Marchionne, head of the FIAT-Chrysler group, would not disagree given his recent statements about a potential team reshuffle.

The Japanese Grand Prix could be an opportunity for Hamilton to mark his dominance this season, or an opportunity for Vettel to make his return to the top step of the podium to continue dreaming of a fifth title.

McLaren-Honda plays at home this weekend for the last time. After strong performances at the Singapore and Malaysian Grand Prix, the aim would be to complete the Asian triptych by shining on the land of the Japanese engine manufacturer. However, this is not taking into account a potential engine dilemma—again—if Honda were to offer an engine upgrade for its home race. Better engine performance or better reliability, a choice Fernando Alonso and Stoffel Vandoorne will have to make with Eric Boullier, McLaren’s director.

To (really) know everything…

The medium tire makes its return this weekend but is still relatively shunned by all the drivers. Only Esteban Ocon and Sergio Pérez give it some interest with 3 sets, as many as for the soft tires.

The Pirelli tweet links to a non-existent page, but since it is the only visual for the tire allocation, we are keeping it for the presentation

The #Fit4F1 colour scheme for the #JapaneseGP 🇯🇵 (ps. lots of red) https://t.co/CQZFp0iiBr

— Pirelli Motorsport (@Pirellisport) 26 septembre /f1/actualite/22316-vettel-et-ferrari-echappent-a-une-penalite-a-suzuka-.html

A single DRS zone at Suzuka, placed on the start-finish line with an early detection point located before the chicane (T16-T17).

The temperate and humid climate of Asia will once again play a role this weekend in Suzuka. For Friday’s sessions, rain will likely disrupt preparations. Saturday will be dry but with a heavily overcast sky, while Sunday will be the best day with plenty of sunshine. Temperatures will remain around 20°C on Friday and Saturday, and for the race, the thermometer will show 26-27°C.

Don’t forget the TV schedule!