With just five races to go in this season’s Formula 1 season, the championship could not be more finely poised as F1 heads to Suzuka for the Japanese Grand Prix.
With just five races to go in this season’s Formula 1 season, the championship could not be more finely poised as F1 heads to Suzuka for the Japanese Grand Prix.
The 5.8 Km circuit is a hit with fans and remains one of the classic Formula 1 venues, the circuit has seen some of the sports most memorable moments and championship deciders over the years. The likes of Ayrton Senna, Alain Prost, Damon Hill, Michael Schumacher, Sebastian Vettel and Mika Hakkinen have all secured championships at Suzuka.
Whilst neither Lewis Hamilton or Nico Rosberg will add their names to that list this weekend but the result on Sunday will have a huge say in this enthralling championship battle between the two Mercedes teammates.
A significant difference
Hamilton currently leads the way in the drivers’ championship after winning the Singapore Grand Prix. Whilst Hamilton won the race around the streets of Singapore teammate Nico Rosberg hit reliability issues meaning he was unable to get to finish.
Suzuka is notorious for being a circuit that rewards downforce, something that Red Bull have in abundance and could be enough to see the defending champions sneak ahead of the Mercedes this weekend.
We saw in Singapore just how much the rest of the field have caught up to this seasons pacesetters over the year. The biggest question heading into this weekend is not who will be setting the pace this weekend but if the weather will allow the race to go ahead.
A typhoon looks as if it is heading towards the circuit at some point this weekend, winds of 160kph could batter the circuit with rainfall of up to 76mm per hour could hinder the running of this weekends’ Grand Prix.
Rumours with a hint of rain
Rain has a history of appearing at the Japanese Grand Prix, qualifying in 2010 was washed out and had to be moved to Sunday morning before the race. There is every chance that we could see somewhat of a similar situation again this weekend.
Rumours have emerged over the past few weeks regarding Fernando Alonso and a potential return to McLaren. Next season McLaren switch to Honda engines, Honda are keen to have a big name driver at McLaren for their return next season.
If reports are to be believed we could have confirmation of Alonso and McLaren rekindling their ill fated relationship that came to an abrupt end on 2007.
Pirelli will this weekend be supplying the Medium (option) and the Hard (prime) tyres, the last time Pirelli used these compounds was Silverstone. The DRS zone this weekend will once again be along the main pit straight with the activation point located just after the legendary 130R corner.
Lewis Hamilton whilst leading the championship is yet to record a win around the legendary circuit, after winning the last two rounds at Monza and Singapore the Brit is in fine form and will be keen to make it win number three on the bounce as he looks to extend his narrow three point lead at the top of the standings.
Will be another Mercedes victory this weekend? Will Red Bull be able to take just their fourth win this season as a circuit that rewards a car with high downforce? Or will the rain give us a surprise winner? Leave your comments below.
