Japanese Grand Prix – The Best / Worst of the editorial staff

The TOP 3

1. Max Verstappen yet again and still ahead

A new royal weekend for Max Verstappen and Red Bull. Indeed, the Austrian team quickly found a very good pace with Verstappen in 1st and Sergio Perez in 2nd. Another podium for Red Bull, who are having a more than successful start to the season, to the point that the cameras preferred to focus on the battles in the Top 10, letting the two Red Bull drivers enjoy their comfortable lead. As a reminder, this is the third podium for both Red Bull drivers after Bahrain and Saudi Arabia.

2. Tsunoda delights at home

It was his Grand Prix, his race, his audience. Yuki Tsunoda scored a point on his home circuit with a great performance this Sunday. Supported by many fans, the Honda protege could not afford to make any mistakes. Indeed, every move of the Japanese driver was closely scrutinized. An additional pressure that he managed perfectly, starting 10th on the starting grid and finishing in the same position with some bold overtakes.

« This tenth place, maybe I shouldn’t say it like that but I feel like I finished first. The pit-stops were very fast and I got back on track ahead of my direct competitors at a crucial moment. So congratulations to the team but also to the Japanese fans. All weekend, the energy I was able to receive from them, it’s a special feeling. We were better than the others in the first sector so I had the confidence to attempt attacks on the outside (of turn 6). It reminds me of when Kamui (Kobayashi) was overtaking at turn 11 », he confided to Canal + microphone.

Note that Tsunoda became the first Japanese to finish in the Top 10 since 2012 and Kamui Kobayashi, former Sauber driver, this Sunday.

3. Sainz’s good series

This Grand Prix of Japan was also marked by this slight mistake from Charles Leclerc on the 26th lap. A mistake that benefited Sainz finishing on the podium (3rd) this weekend. Despite the scare on Ferrari’s side, the team was able to rely on its Spanish driver to finish beautifully. 7th after a pit stop, Sainz started an impressive comeback. 3rd a few laps from the end, the Monegasque eventually gave up his third place to Sainz, allowing him to climb to the third step of the podium and secure his third podium of the season after Bahrain and Australia.

The FLOP 3

1. Strategy error for McLaren

A weekend to forget for McLaren after a strategy error. Lando Norris saw the podium slip away from him following an early pit stop. As the driver was fighting for a place on the podium, 4th just behind Charles Leclerc, he was called to the radio for a pit stop at the same time as the Monegasque. But this decision cost the team dearly. Lando Norris had already made a pit stop and could have stayed on track for a while longer with his tires. As a result, the British driver emerged in 7th and finished 5th as he crossed the finish line. The team will certainly learn a lesson from this to avoid letting the podium slip away from them again.

2. Daniel Ricciardo in turmoil.

Races follow one another and so do disappointments. The Japanese Grand Prix lasted only 4 laps for the Australian. After squeezing Alex Albon on the right side, the latter crashed into the Racing Bulls driver. A disappointing record that raises questions about his place within the team. As a reminder, Ricciardo managed to win some points last season during the Mexican Grand Prix.

3. An endless disaster on the Alpine side.

Despite a good qualifying result for Esteban Ocon, making it to Q2, the race wasn’t great for the two French drivers, finishing at the bottom of the table in Japan. A battle did happen, but not the one expected by the drivers and the team. Ocon and Gasly failed to take advantage of the second standing start. Damage was observed on both cars resulting in aerodynamic loss. The Alpines finished in 15th and 16th place ahead of Logan Sargeant and one lap behind the leader. « We are not where we want to be, but it’s good to have brought our first developments this weekend. We need to continue developing the concept and bringing parts as soon as possible as we need to improve our current position » said Pierre Gasly in an interview with Canal + this Sunday.