2012 Japanese GP - Suzuka

[raymondu999]

Yep. I think it will be a 3-stopper minimum for this race, OOPP or OPPP. Or let's have a wet Suzuka race. Been a while

[Guisson]

This Circuit is probably the most Difficult one on the calendar ..
Just Like Monaco this circuit is a pure driver Circuit , no matter how strong your car is if you are talented you will be able to do miracles

[ecapox]

Favorite track of the entire year.

[raymondu999]

This Circuit is probably the most Difficult one on the calendar ..
Just Like Monaco this circuit is a pure driver Circuit , no matter how strong your car is if you are talented you will be able to do miracles

Agreed, with the proviso that I don't think that's true outside of qualifying anymore. If you work miracles for 50 laps in the race, you'll just burn out your Pirellis.

[Gerhard Berger]

Here we come another Red Bull track

we're not in 2010 anymore.

[Gerhard Berger]

This Circuit is probably the most Difficult one on the calendar ..
Just Like Monaco this circuit is a pure driver Circuit , no matter how strong your car is if you are talented you will be able to do miracles

is this really true? Surely with all the high speed corners the car needs good aerodynamics for the driver to perform well.

[raymondu999]

Yes but the Esses are so much more than about aerodynamics. A driver who is able to connect the racing line of Turn 1-2 all the way through to Dunlop will be able to string so much more momentum through. The Dengners are also a massive driver corner where the driver can really buy laptime, more so in Dengner 1. The hairpin is deceptively low grip while it doesn't seem that low grip - which again rewards a driver who can understand and feel that.

The casio chicane is also a place where your line is important to hook up your braking and exit into one fluid line.

[Nando]

Here we come another Red Bull track

More like one of the worst for them this year.

You need downforce sure but you need a very slippery car as well.
He got gobbled up in the race last year and that was with a pretty dominant machine with the OTBD.

I say Mclaren and Sauber is gonna fly around here.

[aero expert 807]

I predict a Vettel-Hamilton battle in Qualifying with Vettel taking first in the race.

[Hobbs04]

Sauber is bringing update package!

[FLuidd]

Remember kids , it's autumn in Japan too... so bring full wets.

Korea too.

[clipsy1H]

before Singapore race I would have said Micheal win here or at least on podium but with 10 place penalty ......

Qualifying top 5

1.Hamilton
2.Scumacher
3.Alonso
4.Button
5.Vettel.

[beelsebob]

Qually:
1. HAM
2. ALO
3. RAI

Race:
1. HAM
2. RAI
3. ALO

I expect Red Bull to be around 7th and 8th, both on the grid, and in the race.

[Vasconia]

Its true that is a drivers track but not as much as Monaco is. If you dont have a car with great downforce you will suffer a lot, , even if your Alonso, Shumi or Lewis.

I excpect a tough battle between Mclaren and RB for the pole, with Alonso quite near. For the race I expect a fast Sauber, be careful with Perez!!

Mercedes brings a new floor/diffuser, so they should be competitive here, Coanda exhaust must help them.

What about the weather? there is a rain forecast, though its a little bit early to take it seriously.

[FlYiNgIcEmAn]

From the AtlasF1 Forum:

Spoke to Kulta at length after the race....
Lotus have a big upgrade coming for Suzuka, which according to him.. Will put them back n the mix..