Formula 1 MSC Cruises Japanese Grand Prix 2024Formula 1

[Jimlaad43]

Jumping to the start of the season for the first time in its history, we travel to the east Asian nation that has only ever held one springtime Grand Prix with the 1994 Pacific Grand Prix. A traditional season closer, Suzuka is one of the most popular circuits on the calendar with drivers and has produced countless historic moments over time. The 2024 season threw up a bit of a surprise last time in Australia as we had the first retirement since 2022 for Max Verstappen, quite quickly closing off the media theories of "can Max win every race this year". Carlos Sainz got a nice win on his comeback, perhaps starting a chain of events where all drivers will start removing their appendixes! We will find out at the JAPANESE GRAND PRIX!

First Grand Prix
1987​

Number of Laps
53​

Circuit Length
5.807km​

Race Distance
307.471 km​

Lap Record
1:30.983 Lewis Hamilton (2019)
​

 

[Sureboss]

No DRS in to 130R?

 

[Jimlaad43]

No DRS in to 130R?

Since it's introduction in 2011, 130R has never been a DRS zone, in the same way the Monaco tunnels also isn't.

Odd when they decided to make T1 and 2 at Silverstone a DRS zone in 2018...

That said, the shunts Super Formula have had at 130R in the last few years have showed that the runoff there is woefully unsuitable for such a fast corner.

 

[MagpieRacer]

Since it's introduction in 2011, 130R has never been a DRS zone, in the same way the Monaco tunnels also isn't.

Odd when they decided to make T1 and 2 at Silverstone a DRS zone in 2018...

That said, the shunts Super Formula have had at 130R in the last few years have showed that the runoff there is woefully unsuitable for such a fast corner.

If there wasn't track the other side of the barrier, I reckon they would DRS it. But you're right, the recent SF crashes prove why it isn't.

In other Japanese GP news, Williams have repaired the damaged chassis so will have 2 cars in Japan, however, for some reason they're giving the repaired chassis to Logan Sargeant instead of giving it back to Albon..

 

[Jimlaad43]

It's one of those corners that needs tarmac all the way to the tyres, gravel on high speed corners just causes cars to take off, see Zhou in 2022 Silverstone. You either have gravel behind the apex, so cars have already landed/rolled a few times before they make it to the wall (although Simon Pagenaud may disagree), or just tarmac before the wall.

 

[TumeK5]

Context for Simon Pagenaud

 

[Jimlaad43]

Looking at that again, it seems more like an issue of gradient at that corner. Having the bit between the track and the gravel being a jump seems a bit more problematic than the composition of the runoff...

 

[Blitz24]

If there wasn't track the other side of the barrier, I reckon they would DRS it. But you're right, the recent SF crashes prove why it isn't.

In other Japanese GP news, Williams have repaired the damaged chassis so will have 2 cars in Japan, however, for some reason they're giving the repaired chassis to Logan Sargeant instead of giving it back to Albon..

It would be laughably comical if Sargeant outraces Albon this weekend.

 

[TumeK5]

Looking at that again, it seems more like an issue of gradient at that corner. Having the bit between the track and the gravel being a jump seems a bit more problematic than the composition of the runoff...

Many old tracks have that problem where the edge of the track acting as a ramp, that's what makes the gravel run-off much worse.

The run-off and track should always be as level as possible.

 

[-Fred-]

Looking at that again, it seems more like an issue of gradient at that corner. Having the bit between the track and the gravel being a jump seems a bit more problematic than the composition of the runoff...

It's been an issue for years and they've never done anything about it...

 

[Sum1s2pid]

Oop, P1 red flag... Sargeant off. Nasty hit.

 

[Spacegoat]

Hope Williams actually bought some spares with them this time.

 

[Sum1s2pid]

Ooh, a bit of rain dropped leading in to P2. 😮

 

[ScottPuss20]

It's been an issue for years and they've never done anything about it...

WEEEEEEEEEEEE

I've never seen a car fly like that.

 

[desmodan]

So. Let's move the date of the Japanese GP so it's not affected by the weather.

 

[TumeK5]

Max should be able to beat his pole lap from last year, but by how much?

Edit: Already beat the 2023 lap on his first flying lap in Q1. Probably gonna be a half a second improvement at least.

 

[Sum1s2pid]

Wow, Alonso dragging that Aston by the scruff to 2nd. 😮

 

[TumeK5]

Wow, Alonso dragging that Aston by the scruff to 2nd. 😮

Alonso doing Alonso things. But only Q1, if he can stay in top 3, it'd be a mild surprise.

Edit: Annd Hülkenberg humiliating Magnussen again. Same for Alonso and Stroll, really weak showing from the latter.

 

[Fezzik]

Alonso 2nd, Stroll out.
Just sack him already.

 

[TumeK5]

Alonso 2nd, Stroll out.
Just sack him already.

Track dominance showed Stroll faster only in T1-2, while the rest of the track was Alonso's

Edit: Norris with a scorcher!

 

[Sum1s2pid]

Landooooooooooo! Gogogo! 😬

 

[Fezzik]

Disappointing from Leclerc

 

[Fezzik]

Much better from Checo this week, almost got Max!

 

[Sum1s2pid]

Dammit, of all the times for Checo to show some pace. 😅

 

[Grayfox]

Latifi Lane Shortcut should be part of the track IMO.

 

[Dennisch]

No hope in the thread for a Mercedes 1-2 this weekend?

 

[Grayfox]

Unless both red bulls blow up
McLaren crash
Ferrari Screw up
Alonso becomes Stroll 2.0

Merc getting on podium is unlikely.

 

[MagpieRacer]

I honestly feel like a Tsunoda podium is more likely than a Mercedes 1-2, or even podium.

 

[Alfred1]

I honestly feel like a Tsunoda podium is more likely than a Mercedes 1-2, or even podium.

It would be only possible if we have 8-10 DNFs.

 

[Sum1s2pid]

Ooh, sunny and warm.

edit: A lot of Soft runners. 🤔

moar edit: Yeesh, red flag for Albon and Riciardo. C'mon... 😤