Japan – Presentation: Consecration or Hara-kiri
With five Grand Prix left in the season, a fifth title is gradually taking shape for Lewis Hamilton. In Suzuka, a race must be delivered that will make people forget the Sochi experience from last weekend. In 2017, a spark plug forced Sebastian Vettel to retire; this season, the stars must align if the German wants to win and keep believing in the title.
« Japan is going to be like a second home race for me, as I spent so much time there last year when I was racing in Super Formula with Honda. Coming back here as an F1 driver with Honda is an experience I’m looking forward to. I love driving at Suzuka, it’s one of the best circuits. The first sector with the esses offers an exhilarating challenge […] it’s very fast and you can test the limits of the car. There will also be a lot of emotions because of what happened to Jules (Bianchi). No matter when I come to Suzuka, I will always spend some time at the site of his accident. »
Very familiar with the circuits and Japanese culture due to his experience in the Super Formula championship, Pierre Gasly feels at home on Honda’s home turf. For the Frenchman, as well as the entire F1 grid, Suzuka is a circuit where one must race. The track offers many challenges, first with its very twisty first sector, then with its large, fast curves.
Since 2014, however, Suzuka has also become a place of remembrance. This weekend, Pierre Gasly and, most notably, Charles Leclerc are present for the first time as Formula 1 drivers on the circuit where Jules Bianchi had his tragic accident in the 130R corner. These four days will be filled with emotions for the Frenchman and the Monegasque.
The owner’s tour
#F1 Are you ready for #JapaneseGP ? Get a #Fit4F1 preview of #Suzuka circuit: a wide variety of fast and flowing corners https://t.co/8lXpVfPGTx pic.twitter.com/Kfnx4ln6r1
— Pirelli Motorsport (@pirellisport) 1 octobre 2018
For posterity
Tarmac and mistral
Here are the #Fit4F1 shoes destined for the Japanese Grand Prix in Suzuka!
More on: https://t.co/uPnJ1YqUcm #JapaneseGP pic.twitter.com/wCSRcTDzEC— Pirelli Motorsport (@pirellisport) 25 septembre 2018
For this Japanese Grand Prix, Pirelli has decided to bring the mediums, softs, and super-softs. As has often been the case since the start of the season, two philosophies clash in tire selection: Ferrari’s aggressiveness and Mercedes’ conservatism.
However, if we look at the bottom of this infographic, we can see a selection of tires that might leave one astonished. McLaren made the surprising decision to bring as many tires of each type, perhaps with the aim of conducting full-scale test runs for next season if the weather is favorable.
If Japan is always an anticipated destination for drivers because it’s a great place for motorsport celebration, the weather there is not always favorable. This weekend again, the rain will cause trouble in Suzuka.
On Friday, the sun will be off the radar due to an almost total cloud cover. In the morning, it will be 22 to 23°C in the air while the afternoon will be rough. There are strong risks of showers threatening the entire second practice session.
Saturday the sky will be just as uncertain. The rain should spare the last practice session, and the thermometer will show 25°C, which will feel closer to 30°C due to humidity. For the qualifications, also plan to bring an umbrella as they are expected to take place entirely under showers.
Sunday will be the most beautiful day with the appearance of the sun and especially few clouds in the sky. A shower at 2 PM could just disrupt the start of the race, adding a little spice to the event.
TV schedule
