2016 Japanese Grand Prix - Suzuka, 07-09 October

[ChrisDanger]

Official Website:
http://www.suzukacircuit.jp/en/events/f1/

FIA Event and Timing Information:
http://www.fia.com/events/fia-formula-o ... rmation-17

Times and Stats:

Note: Sessions are an hour or two earlier than last race.

Track Map:


Tyre Allocation:


2015 Qualifying Results:


2015 Race Results:


2015 Pole Lap:


World Drivers' Championship Standings:


World Constructors' Championship Standings:

[Vasconia]

I love when we have another race just 7 days after the previous one.

Suzuka is an spectacular and technical track though its not one of my favourites. Its pretty tricky to overtak here.

The weather forecast is an interesting detail to know. I guess Nico is praying for a sunny day because last year showed that the can get the pole. But if it rains, Hamilton will destroy him.

Ferrari is on difficulties after a bad race in Malaysia. Theoretically Rb should beat them easily on this track. But Vettel needs to have a good day, so I hope he can have a good performance.

My bet:

Pole:

1. Rosberg
2. Hamilton
3. Ricciardo
4. Vettel
5. Verstappen
6. Kim.
7. Alonso
8. Button
9. Bottas
10. Sainz

RACE(dry)

1. Rosberg
2. Hamilton
3. Ricciardo
4. Verstappen
5. Vettel
6. Alonso
7. Kimi
8. Button
9. Bottas
10. Sainz

RACE(wet):

1. Hamilton
2. Ricciardo
3. Alonso ( )
4.Verstappen
5. Rosberg

... and so on...

[mclaren111]

Alonso 3rd would be great [-o< [-o< [-o< [-o<

[bauc]

@ChrisDanger, thanks for opening this thread, Suzuka is one of my favorite races of the year, especially now when its Honda's home GP. I expect another tough battle between the Mercs, but I also think RRB will be right at their tail as the twisty middle sector will suit their package more. I also hope it will suit Mclaren as well since it seems the mp4-31 is good at middle to high speed corners and with good braking balance so overall if the weather is good I expect a good race with few good battles between the Mercs, RBR, Ferrari and the middle pack.

[henry]

I put a stopwatch on the pole lap video.

Full throttle 48 secs. 52%
Braking 14 secs. 15%

Turn 15 almost flat expect it to be flat this year.

[godlameroso]

What about Dunlop curve, and the entry to the Esses? You think those will be flat?

The medium tire is going to work beautifully here. 2 stopper, I think Alonso can split the Ferraris. It seems like he's enjoyed the last two races, they may not win a race or get a podium but at least they're scrappy and they're improving all the time, and I haven't seen him give up, he was pushing like crazy all the way to the end of the race. It looks like it's going to rain on qualifying day, cloudy on Friday, temperature will range from 20-26c over the weekend, track temperature will be ~28-38c, Sunday being the warmest day for track temperatures as that's the day I'm seeing the most sun it'll still be partly cloudy. Suzuka is close to the bay, and lake Biwa is on the other side of a mountain range, and these are the major terrain features that affect the weather in the region. Japan is also expecting a Typhoon some time in the next day or so.

I expect Hamilton to dominate the weekend. But I'd love to see a RB on pole.

[SectorOne]

Best driver´s track ever designed in my opinion. The flow is just incredible around here.

[Tauri_J]

[-o<

[majki2111]

Best driver´s track ever designed in my opinion. The flow is just incredible around here.

Wow. The track with most flow for me is Singapore. Especially sector 2. It really shows how relative our feelings are.

Also Suzuka one of my least favorite tracks.

[Juzh]

Pole lap in the low 1:30s region probably.

[AnthonyG]

Best driver´s track ever designed in my opinion. The flow is just incredible around here.

Wow. The track with most flow for me is Singapore. Especially sector 2. It really shows how relative our feelings are.

Also Suzuka one of my least favorite tracks.

I think it's one of the most authentic tracks left on the calendar.

And the way it flows, diving into turn 1-2 and that section after the S's where the track gets so small and goes under the bridge. You can overtake in the slow corners and on the straight with that insane turn 1.
And how it never seems to go straight, praticaly each "straight" has some kind of radius to it. Hard, but not enough to prevent the car behind from folowing.

How can one not love this track, it's truly epic.

[F1NAC]

https://s9.postimg.org/hles44kj3/suzuka.jpg

[-o<

as much as you want that to happen i really don't want another rain race here. It only brings bad memories

[AnthonyG]

Not realy race related, but f Rosberg becomes world champion, won't it be only the second time a team has a driver pair win at least one championship when paired together?
I can only think of Senna and Prost at McLaren in the same situation.

[ME4ME]

I'm amazed thinking back how competitive Williams were and how far Red Bull was off the pace.

Hopefully it's a dry sunny race and we get a great battle at or near the front.

[iotar__]

Best driver´s track ever designed in my opinion. The flow is just incredible around here.

I agree, my favourite example from '10:
3 Lewis Hamilton McLaren 1:31.169
4 Robert Kubica Renault 1:31.231
5 Fernando Alonso Ferrari 1:31.352
6 Jenson Button McLaren 1:31.378
7 Nico Rosberg Mercedes1:31.494
Not so good for racing though except for Kobayashi.

A. Repeat of Malaysia: Merc - RB/Ferrari and a two stopper.
B. Differences:
- Small gaps in Q so it should be more interesting with mistakes/nailed laps
- Harder to overtake than in Malaysia.