1079 replies to this topic

[TomNokoe]

It's race day in Suzuka, with Verstappen back to his best after a demonstration in qualifying. McLaren made good on their high-speed promise, but will face tough competition from Ferrari, Perez and Mercedes in the podium battle.

 

Tsunoda qualified well at his home event, and Alonso kept up his record of 16/16 Q3 appearances.

 

Look out for Red Bull clinching the Constructors' Championship come the chequered flag.

 

It's a long, hot, race, with tyre wear exceptionally critical, and it starts in 9 hours from this post (0600 BST / 0700 CEST).

 

 

 

 

 

[Alfisti]

And 3, 2, 1 piastri and Lando niggles continues to fester as one will get the preferred first stop order. Gonna get ugly.

[JimmyClark]

I'm looking forward to this. Should be a great race behind Max.

[KWSN - DSM]

During qualifying they talked about it having rained over night, are we in luck and get some wetness during race?

[FLB]

During qualifying they talked about it having rained over night, are we in luck and get some wetness during race?

Rain and Japan brings back bad memories 

 

(Although the 1994 race was probably Damon Hill's finest drive, IMHO)

[BertoC]

Curious to see which race will be ruined by Perez bump cars overtakes. Hope its not the Mclarens.

[Goron3]

During qualifying they talked about it having rained over night, are we in luck and get some wetness during race?

Nope. Expect it to be hot. Really hot.

[w1Y]

What you mean is will perez desperate driving continue in susuka.

I'm just hoping lewis has a clean first lap and can make a place or 2 off the line.

Ignoring dmf max will win this embarrassingly easily tomorrow.

He's even covered by dodgy timed safety car because he will always have the gap anyway. I hope piastri gets him off the line to make it at least a little interesting.

Tyre deg is so high the position underneath will be decided by the right strategy calls

Edited by w1Y, 23 September 2023 - 20:43.

[Bendo]

Got to feel the Mclarens in with a real cha chance here due to having 2 sets of hards available and the high deg.

Who am I kidding?

[danmills]

Got a feeling Piastri is gonna be P1 and very racey into the first few turns. Wont last though.

[SparkPlug86]

McLaren sitting pretty with two sets of the Hard tyre if Deg is high... enough to topple Max?

[dissident]

Alonso should go for it and commit to a 3 stop, nothing to lose.

[KWSN - DSM]

Alonso should go for it and commit to a 3 stop, nothing to lose.

 

What tires does he have?

[keshav]

Those softs won't last so long.

[FLB]

Those softs won't last so long.

And Aston needs to have better stops.

[dissident]

They won't do it I guess, just wanted to see some blood. 

 

M-H-H most likely, I'd go M-S-H-H just for the hell of it

[jonpollak]

On the AJ Piastri train tomorrow baby !!!

Jp

Edited by jonpollak, 23 September 2023 - 22:26.

[KWSN - DSM]

On the AJ Piastri train tomorrow baby !!!

Jp

 

[jonpollak]

Sorry it’s OJ I got carried away
Jp

[jonpollak]

While We Wait..

just for fun.

 

 

Jp

[Clrnc]

During qualifying they talked about it having rained over night, are we in luck and get some wetness during race?

I'm here in Suzuka and its hot AF. Humid too.

[MortenF1]

And 3, 2, 1 piastri and Lando niggles continues to fester as one will get the preferred first stop order. Gonna get ugly.

…but does Piastri kick up a fuss about having been shafted a few times, or does he not really make much mention of it, I wonder?

[SparkPlug86]

They won't do it I guess, just wanted to see some blood.

M-H-H most likely, I'd go M-S-H-H just for the hell of it

M-H-H-S would be better imo

[jonpollak]

I'm here in Suzuka and its hot AF. Humid too.

Post a picture !!!
Jp

[RekF1]

I'm gonna watch LOTR,Return of The King- at exactly 02:41. Then fall asleep until Gandalf gets the eagles to sort out his problems again.

PS. I just realised that West coast Americans have a Saturday night GP to watch.

[RPM40]

And 3, 2, 1 piastri and Lando niggles continues to fester as one will get the preferred first stop order. Gonna get ugly.

 

Its not that complex, the lead car should get the preferred pit order as has always been the case. If Norris gets the better start and gets ahead, that should be him. 

[southernstars]

And 3, 2, 1 piastri and Lando niggles continues to fester as one will get the preferred first stop order. Gonna get ugly.

 

There is a straightforward way to prevent this. If Oscar gets to T1 first, Oscar gets strategy priority. That simple.

[Alfisti]

Its not that complex, the lead car should get the preferred pit order as has always been the case. If Norris gets the better start and gets ahead, that should be him.

Thats not happened though, twice now Norris has got the first stop despite being behind and undercut piastri. Piastri has played a straight bat so far but eventually this is gonna blow up.

[ARTGP]

I'd say a potential concern is the Mclarens racing one another too hard on the first lap.  Tire management on that first lap will be very important. 

Edited by ARTGP, 24 September 2023 - 00:29.

[Clrnc]

Post a picture !!!
Jp

It's tough to post a picture on mobile on this forum man unlike other boards where you can simply copy and paste images.

 

But I have done it for you

 

 

Taken after qualifying yesterday. Will probably write a review of my Suzuka experience after the race but easily the best organised GP out there. Every f1 lover should attend this at least once in their lifetime. 

[Clrnc]

Since I'm already on the image hosting site, one more aboard the famed Ferries Wheel.

[HerbieMcQueen]

Since I'm already on the image hosting site, one more aboard the famed Ferries Wheel.

Seeing that chicane will forever remind me that seared in my mind is a high-pitched "ThisistheopportunitythatSenna'sbeenlookingfor! OUT! OH MY GOODNESS!"

 

Great pictures. It looks like a beautiful area, too.

[MikeTekRacing]

I'm gonna watch LOTR,Return of The King- at exactly 02:41. Then fall asleep until Gandalf gets the eagles to sort out his problems again.

PS. I just realised that West coast Americans have a Saturday night GP to watch.

Yeah, i was looking fw for some months for that.
Had to travel to Hawaii in the meantime so now I get a 7pm Sat race

[ARTGP]

Do you guys think we can manage a safety car free race? 

Edited by ARTGP, 24 September 2023 - 03:45.

[RPM40]

Do you guys think we can manage a safety car free race? 

 

I would suspect either Stroll or Sargeant will cause a safety car at some point.

[southernstars]

A 10 second penalty for Logan before he even starts! That seems a bit cruel.

[milestone 11]

On the AJ Piastri train tomorrow baby !!!
Jp

With ya.

[TauriJ]

If both Papayas jump Max at the start we could have a race in our hands.

[AustinF1]

I wonder how many insects were trampled during the construction of Seb's bug hotels.

[gillesfan76]

I wonder how many insects were trampled during the construction of Seb's bug hotels.

 

[Clrnc]

I wonder how many insects were trampled during the construction of Seb's bug hotels.

I'm seated opposite his buzzing corner and there are tons of bees. Not sure if it's related to those hotels but it's kinda annoying lol

[southernstars]

'Sky practically gagging for Norris to be undercut ahead, or Oscar to crash into Max, just so Norris can finish ahead. Gross.

[thegamer23]

Japanese GP is always special, one of the few GP's you have to get up early to watch in europe.

Still dark outside, watching F1 while others are sleeping, perfect.

[milestone 11]

Fred gets it, "We never have two happy drivers because one is in front of the other."

[TomNokoe]

Air 27
Track 45

Not quite the warmest of the weekend, but close. Much warmer than FP2. Will hurt the tyres that little bit more.

[southernstars]

Japan keeping things simple and formal for the anthem. Better than some of the flashy attempts we've seen.

[FirstnameLastname]

Eyes are stinging a bit getting up at this time of the morning (on a Sunday) but I’m buzzing for a Suzuka race. Hope the bee-spec McLaren can do the buzzness and challenge Max

Edited by FirstnameLastname, 24 September 2023 - 04:52.

[MKSixer]

In the National Anthem-Military Prowess Index, we pronounce Japan, Inconclusive.  We KNOW they can fight, they now have the equipment again and hopefully don't take up arms again. 

[gillesfan76]

Wow, Christian Horner saying that the McLaren and the Ferrari are both faster cars in qualifying than the RB19! 

[FirstnameLastname]

Japanese GP is always special, one of the few GP's you have to get up early to watch in europe.

Still dark outside, watching F1 while others are sleeping, perfect.

Absolutely. One of my proper nostalgic childhood memories. Used to be a month or so later too which meant due to the UK and Japanese seasonal time changes it was more like 3am in the uk.