Japanese GP 2010 - Suzuka

[WhiteBlue]

I think we need some rain to spice this race weekend up - otherwise Red Bull are going to run away with it.

Red Bull running away with it is fine for me. We just need a bit more equal luck distribution between the drivers.

[raymondu999]

Wasn't that what we said about Spain, Silverstone, and Hungary?

True! But surely they can't mess it up this time?!

Again, that's what's been always said in 2010

[ecapox]

Is F1 turning into NASCAR? What's the problem with running in the rain. Just because it is predicted as heavy doesnt mean it is going to be heavy.

[Gerhard Berger]

Is F1 turning into NASCAR? What's the problem with running in the rain. Just because it is predicted as heavy doesnt mean it is going to be heavy.

I want to see the cars running in heavy rain (heavy rain is not monsoon conditions). I thought it was pretty rubbish in China last year (I think it was China) when they ran the first part of the race behind the safety car.

[univex]

LeeMcKenzieF1 Lee McKenzie
Pouring here in Suzuka and tomorrow's forecast even worse! Some teams talking about delays to qualifying!
2 Hours Ago

[MikeFromCanada]

In order to set things straight on whether or not the Ferrari's were showing their true pace or not.
autosport:
Massa believes that, in dry conditions, it might be more realistic for Ferrari to set beating McLaren pairing Jenson Button and Lewis Hamilton as its target for the weekend.

"Maybe," he said of the prospect of racing for best of the rest rather than victory. "Looking at the difference in the laptimes now, it's easier to say that.

"There is a little bit more to come from the car, but not a huge amount."

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/87269

I think you will find that they were all trying today as they were aiming to complete a full dry tyre program due to the rain predicted for tomorrow.

Could be honesty coming from Massa, could just be pessimism after a seemingly disappointing Friday.

On the flip side, Button says there is still a lot of time the team can find in the car the mroe they understand their upgrades. That could be an optimistic point of view.

Overall, I can't see the RB's having a full 1+ second advantage of the next fastest car. There will be a gap, but surely not that much?

[Shrieker]

Kubica did a 32.200 , didn't he ? I say the McLarens and Alonso can go faster than that surely.

[MikeFromCanada]

Kubica did a 32.200 , didn't he ? I say the McLarens and Alonso can go faster than that surely.

And admittedly, Kubica was cautious when referring to his Friday pace. Then again, he is a man of few extreme emotions

[astracrazy]

legardj F1 first - saw sandbags around circuit at T1 and Degner when running Suzuka. Must be expecting a lot of rain...

pics? take what he says with a pinch of salt

[andrew]

Who will the fanboys blame this one on?

Well, you know that theory about if everyone in China jumped at exactly the same time ....

When I watched the replay this morning on the BBC website it looked as if he basically run wide in the previous corner, missing the apex and that screwed him for Degner. I wonder if the F-duct was being deployed or was it just an honest mistake?

[DaveKillens]

Wow, once again Suzuka proves why it's a great track. Fast, fast, and unforgiving. We've seen quite a few cars go off-track, and this emphasises that at Suzuka if you get it wrong, it can be very unforgiving.

But that's the lovely nature of Suzuka. Many corners,if you get it right, the driver comes away feeling he could have extracted even more, and tries harder next lap. This track really encourages true 100% driving.

There's been a lot of speculation on whether anyone will engage the F-duct when running through 130R. First off, under normal circumstance the car is balanced aerodynamically. But when you engage the F-duct, since there is less downforce at the rear while the front remains unaltered, it becomes a car with a very oversteering characteristices.

130R also sits very exposed on a windy track. So combined with an oversteering condition and mixed with strong wind gusts, only a brave, or sadly, a too-brave driver will attempt running through 130 in an unbalanced car.

I watched practice and listened to the engine tone, and there was a dropoff in revs exiting 130R. Now that drop would be created either by the cornering forces, running into a headwind, or the driver lifting, and I believe it was a combination of the high downforce generated without the F-duct being used and cornering forces dragging the car back into lower revs.

My impression is that only for the very brave in critical situation will a driver think about engaging the F-duct at 130R. In other words, when someone is challenging for a pass, as Alonso did to Schumacher. I hope it doesn't work out this way, because it could become sticky.

As well as watching the big names, the battle for the three new teams has reached critical mass. If any of the new teams can capture just one point, it would be considered a massive success. It would separate one team from the other two, and also bring in millions. They all know that, and they all desperately want just one point. I just hope that none of the drivers gets foolish.

Cars running at the front during the race will have to be very careful when running around any of the regular backmarkers because more than ever, they will be engaged and very focused on fighting their immediate competitors. They may get so caught up in their own battles they interfere with a front-runner.

What a great freaking season, what a great track. I am really enjoying this wonderful five-way battle and the swings of good fortune and disasters, it sure has produced riveting drama. Although there have been a few crashes, it has sure bunched the field up in a way that is wonderful.

All that remains is to see how qualifying works out, and to watch what will be one more very interesting and exciting race.

[andrew]

Qualifying will be interesting, especially if the expected rain happens. There are predictions of 85mm (3.35 inches in old money) of rainfall during qualifying.

I wonder what tyres they'll use?

[Shrieker]

Qualifying will be interesting, especially if the expected rain happens. There are predictions of 85mm (3.35 inches in old money) of rainfall during qualifying.

I wonder what tyres they'll use?

Will tractor tyres fit ?

[andrew]

Qualifying will be interesting, especially if the expected rain happens. There are predictions of 85mm (3.35 inches in old money) of rainfall during qualifying.

I wonder what tyres they'll use?

Will tractor tyres fit ?

Now that would be something!

[mx_tifoso]

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