122 replies to this topic

[KWSN - DSM]

**Grand Prix III of the 2025 Season: Off to the Land of the Rising Sun**

 

Ah, Suzuka – the track that separates the "greats" from the "good," a favorite among fans and drivers alike. A true test of skill, and perhaps a little bit of luck. Weather? Oh, who knows – expect the unexpected. In true F1 style, it’ll likely rain just to make everything more dramatic. 

 

For your viewing convenience, times are listed below in local and New York Standard Time. 

 

 

For the rest of the globe, well, somewhere in between. It’s one of life’s few pleasures to watch F1 live, regardless of where in the world it’s hosted. You could be in your living room or on the other side of the planet. The important thing is, you’re watching.

 

For the whiners – tough luck.  

For the optimists – now that’s the spirit.

 

**Red Bull Shake-Up**  

In case you missed it, there’s been some movement at the top. Tsunoda swaps his Racing Bull for a seat at the 'actual' Red Bull, while Lawson does the opposite, moving from the big team to the, ehhh 'racing' team. The Japanese are giddy—finally, a homegrown driver in the World Champion’s garage. It’s make-or-break time for Yuki. His nation’s hopes rest squarely on his shoulders, and no pressure, but this race could make or break him.

 

**Track Layout:**  

Same old Suzuka – that snazzy 8-shape with a couple of chicanes and the endless esses. Nothing new here just a track that always gets the best out of the drivers.

 

 

**The Official Guess on Weather:**  

Because no one really knows, but here’s a link to a guess anyway:  

 

https://www.formula1...91gBONN7o5NBLP9)

 

**For Those in Japan (and Daredevils Everywhere):**  

If you happen to be in Japan, don’t miss the local delicacy, 'Torisashi' – that’s raw chicken, thinly sliced. It’s just like sashimi, but with a slightly more… interesting risk factor. You can enjoy it with sumiso, soy sauce, or just some wasabi if you’re feeling particularly brave.  

 

https://www.youtube....g?feature=share

 

and think about your life choices.

 

**Let’s Go Racing**  

And now, the moment we’ve all been waiting for.

 

https://youtu.be/KVYKRcPIwIA

 

[KWSN - DSM]

[GlenWatkins]

Great start to the build up for the weekend, KWSN-DSM!  Love Suzuka, one of the few proper race tracks left.

Edited by GlenWatkins, 02 April 2025 - 23:21.

[loki]

Bring on the hats…

[PitViperRacing]

Hoping for Ferrari/Red Bull/Mercedes to take it to McLaren, but not confident.

Expect to see a two way fight between Lando and Oscar at the front.

[jonpollak]

Jp

[Afterburner]

Once I learned this I couldn’t unsee it: Suzuka was Nintendo’s inspiration for the Port Town II track in 1990’s F-Zero, which presumably lacked the crossover due to hardware limitations:



The funny thing is that the east loop is correctly abbreviated in the game as Port Town I, oriented to the east on the game as in real life.

The Port Town II layout returned as Port Town II: Snake Road in the 3D sequel F-Zero X in 1998. The original Port Town I and II are back in the 2023 online version of the 1990 game, F-Zero 99. Port Town is considered the home of the game’s protagonist, Captain Falcon.

Mostly only tangentially related info but the point is there were definitely racing fans working at Nintendo!

[The Passenger]

Last year's results:



Bit awkward, now, perhaps, to see that Perez came second. Yuki's got such a challenge ahead, I wish him very well.

[vlado]

that car must've been so much easier to drive if PER was so close ?

[FirstnameLastname]

Last year's results:



Bit awkward, now, perhaps, to see that Perez came second. Yuki's got such a challenge ahead, I wish him very well.

This will be the result this year - except your chart is upside down

(Swap Perez name for Lawson)

[loki]

Racing Bulls posted a pit board with “We missed you Lawson” online.  Tried to get it to post but not right format.

[SophieB]

Racing Bulls posted a pit board with “We missed you Lawson” online.  Tried to get it to post but not right format.

Here you go:

​

[SophieB]

[Mat13]

For anyone not local to Japan, or a treacherous colonial, the race start time in BST (that’s right, we in the UK get to name time as we clearly invented it), is 6am.

[SophieB]

You know how whenever Lewis was interviewed on the podiums of any track he won at and he would always say something like ‘you guys are the best fans’, well, this is the place where that is entirely accurate.
 

 


Kicks ass that the calendar was moved so the circus is in town during Cherry Blossom season.

[JimmyClark]

Apparently the gravel has been restored to the edge of the Degners. Excellent.

[kumo7]

Punishing. Interesitg to look at Yuki there. 

[cjm321190]

Track map is highly accurate and that is something i like to see in a GP thread. 😀

[DevilDare]

That raw chicken "delicacy" is vile. What the actual hell.

[JimmyClark]

That raw chicken "delicacy" is vile. What the actual hell.

When in Japan, I treat the local food as like one of those high end tasting menus - you have no idea what it will be much of the time, and likely you will feel challenged by some of it, but when you eat it it is bloody good.

I would actually eat that chicken if I came across it. The Japanese know what they are doing.

[Mc_Silver]

One of the best track in the calender complemented by amazing fans. Let's see if resurfaced track layout (sector 1) will result in another track lap record.

Does anyone know the lap record here?

Edited by Mc_Silver, Yesterday, 09:29.

[Beri]

Suzuka. Everyone talks about the Esses or the WhateverDegreeItIsNowadays-R corner. But to me.. it's this one;

The car bending Degner Curves..

Edited by Beri, Yesterday, 09:34.

[Ruusperi]

Definitely my favorite circuit, and I think most of the drivers as well. A true driver's circuit where mistakes are punished. Maybe not so good for DRS-era racing, but along with Monaco it's the only track where a mere practice onboard lap gets you nervous and excited.

[Myrvold]

The Port Town II layout returned as Port Town II: Snake Road in the 3D sequel F-Zero X in 1998. The original Port Town I and II are back in the 2023 online version of the 1990 game, F-Zero 99. Port Town is considered the home of the game’s protagonist, Captain Falcon.

Mostly only tangentially related info but the point is there were definitely racing fans working at Nintendo!

Interestingly I've never felt like anything of Port Town II: Snake Road have ever reminded me of Suzuka. Other than me making more mistakes on that track than almost any other... Racing fans at Nintendo is obvious as F-Zero is somewhat their idea of "F1 in 500 years time, but now it is F0 Grand Prix".

 

Also. I never got around to try out F-Zero 99...

[Risil]

Definitely my favorite circuit, and I think most of the drivers as well. A true driver's circuit where mistakes are punished. Maybe not so good for DRS-era racing, but along with Monaco it's the only track where a mere practice onboard lap gets you nervous and excited.

 

Finished second during the race, if I recall correctly? Distinctly remember being very young and thinking "oh, I thought McLaren were bad, Hakkinen must be really good" when I saw Mika on the podium.

[Peat]

According to ChatGPT, the equivilent UK town to Suzuka is Swindon. 

[Goron3]

Apparently the gravel has been restored to the edge of the Degners. Excellent.

Yup. Exit of turn 1 too.

[jonpollak]

According to ChatGPT, the equivilent UK town to Suzuka is Swindon.

Yeah, cuz race track and oh wait…NOT.

It might as well have said Swinton as in Tilda.
Jp

[Risil]

Yeah, cuz race track and oh wait…NOT.

 

Swindon has the best motocross track in the UK. I'm sure that's what ChatGPT was referring to.

[SophieB]

According to ChatGPT, the equivilent UK town to Suzuka is Swindon. 

Why? It used to have a Honda factory but that has been gone for a few years.

[jonpollak]

Ok I’ll give it up to the ChatGPT then.
Just seemed a dodgy twinning.

To me at least.
Jp

[SophieB]

Ok I’ll give it up to the ChatGPT then.
Just seemed a dodgy twinning.

To me at least.
Jp

I remain also puzzled!
It does also have a park that has some lovely Cherry Blossom going on, complete with festival to celebrate it, maybe that’s it??

https://www.swindona...ts-times-dates/

[PayasYouRace]

If you want a racetrack perhaps Woking would be a better equivalent?

[JimmyClark]

Obviously the important questions need to be asked...

ChatGPT

You said:
Which venue that hosts F1 races is most like Croydon?
ChatGPT said:
If we’re talking about an F1 venue that gives off a Croydon-esque vibe—urban, a bit rough around the edges but with its own energy—I’d say Baku City Circuit in Azerbaijan might be the closest match.

It’s a street circuit with a mix of modern and older architecture, much like Croydon’s blend of post-war brutalism and newer developments.

The race itself can be chaotic, with tight corners and unexpected drama—kind of like navigating Croydon’s traffic and tram lines.

It’s not the most glamorous F1 venue, but it gets the job done with a bit of scrappiness, similar to how Croydon isn’t central London but still has a lot going on.

Other contenders:

Las Vegas GP – Neon lights, slightly chaotic, and full of unexpected surprises, like a South London night out.

Marina Bay (Singapore GP) – A dense urban setting, but probably too polished to be a true Croydon equivalent.

What do you think—too harsh or spot on?

[Risil]

I remain also puzzled!
It does also have a park that has some lovely Cherry Blossom going on, complete with festival to celebrate it, maybe that’s it??
https://www.swindona...ts-times-dates/

There aren't many things in Swindon that usually get called beautiful but I do think that the Town Gardens is absolutely deserving of that title," one local told the Adver while out on a stroll through the park.

Swindon has low morale!

[Collombin]

ChatGPT

You said:
Which venue that hosts F1 races is most like Croydon?
ChatGPT said:
The race itself can be chaotic, with tight corners and unexpected drama—kind of like navigating Croydon’s traffic and tram lines

Historically the comparison should be Oporto 1960, where Jack Brabham got stuck in the tram lines. Also notable for Lewis Hamilton not turning up.

[Hellenic tifosi]

I know I write this every year, but really, the entire first sector of Suzuka is the best stretch of tarmac on the entire calendar.

[SophieB]

Obviously the important questions need to be asked...

ChatGPT

You said:
Which venue that hosts F1 races is most like Croydon?
ChatGPT said:
If we’re talking about an F1 venue that gives off a Croydon-esque vibe—urban, a bit rough around the edges but with its own energy—I’d say Baku City Circuit in Azerbaijan might be the closest match.

It’s a street circuit with a mix of modern and older architecture, much like Croydon’s blend of post-war brutalism and newer developments.

The race itself can be chaotic, with tight corners and unexpected drama—kind of like navigating Croydon’s traffic and tram lines.

It’s not the most glamorous F1 venue, but it gets the job done with a bit of scrappiness, similar to how Croydon isn’t central London but still has a lot going on.

Other contenders:

Las Vegas GP – Neon lights, slightly chaotic, and full of unexpected surprises, like a South London night out.

Marina Bay (Singapore GP) – A dense urban setting, but probably too polished to be a true Croydon equivalent.

What do you think—too harsh or spot on?

‘Slightly chaotic and full of unexpected surprises’ reads like it comes from the Ankh-Morpork tourist information guide.

[monolulu]

According to ChatGPT, the equivilent UK town to Suzuka is Swindon. 

Race round the Magic Roundabout!

[Dalton007]

For anyone not local to Japan, or a treacherous colonial, the race start time in BST (that’s right, we in the UK get to name time as we clearly invented it), is 6am.

 

I will be waking up for this one. The start time is in my narrow morning operating window.

[jonpollak]

Yesterday's Tokyo Street Run Demo (Full version)

 

Jp

[Amin]

Suzuka. Everyone talks about the Esses or the WhateverDegreeItIsNowadays-R corner. But to me.. it's this one;

The car bending Degner Curves..

That's an incredible photo, looks like the car is melting into the tarmac.

[KWSN - DSM]

That's an incredible photo, looks like the car is melting into the tarmac.

 

Would like for that to be show on TV during races, the way they make it seem Scalextric and we all know it is so darn on the limit all the time.

[7MGTEsup]

Suzuka. Everyone talks about the Esses or the WhateverDegreeItIsNowadays-R corner. But to me.. it's this one;

The car bending Degner Curves..

 

They need a super slow mo camera at Degner 1 so we can see these types of shots. F1 cars always look so poised in real time it's nice to see them working like in this pic.

[Anja]

Would like for that to be show on TV during races, the way they make it seem Scalextric and we all know it is so darn on the limit all the time.

 

 

They need a super slow mo camera at Degner 1 so we can see these types of shots. F1 cars always look so poised in real time it's nice to see them working like in this pic.

 

It really is insane how much F1 fails to showcase its most spectacular aspects on TV. Both this kind of thing and the sense of speed is sorely lacking in the broadcast. 

[Afterburner]

Suzuka. Everyone talks about the Esses or the WhateverDegreeItIsNowadays-R corner. But to me.. it's this one;

The car bending Degner Curves..

We’re all talking about how we need more of this, but I want to single out the photographer who took that photo. I don’t know how much of that was touched up in post but that’s an absolutely phenomenal shot.

[DevilDare]

We’re all talking about how we need more of this, but I want to single out the photographer who took that photo. I don’t know how much of that was touched up in post but that’s an absolutely phenomenal shot.

 

Peter Fox. Motorsport.com had an article with a word from the man himself.

[vlado]

Considering how competitive McLaren were here last year even before their Miami GP upgrade they must be clear favorites.

Looking forward to what that car can do on this beautiful racetrack!

Hopefully dry track on Sunday.

[mclarensmps]

If you want a racetrack perhaps Woking would be a better equivalent?

Referring, of course, to the secret underground track beneath the MTC

[PayasYouRace]

Referring, of course, to the secret underground track beneath the MTC

Was actually thinking of Brooklands, but nice Tooned reference.