F1 travels to the Land of the Rising Sun this weekend for the Japanese Grand Prix; one of the most historic on the calendar having witnessed everything from champions being crowned to life-ending accidents. It is also one of the most iconic tracks with turns like 130R, the 'S curves’, and featuring the only crossover on the F1 calendar.
McLaren Honda are approaching the engine manufacturer’s home Grand Prix with the goal of using every variable at their disposal to turn in a good performance in front of the home crowd. Two main options are being discussed with respect to the power unit. First is running it at a higher power setting for the entire Grand Prix, which they’ve only done on a limited basis thus far. Second is the rumored introduction of the much-anticipated “Spec. 4” engine. If it is actually ready there will likely be only one copy available and the team will weigh whether they want to take a penalty here. We can expect both cars in the points barring any outside influences.
Elsewhere on the grid, a horrible Malaysian Grand Prix for Ferrari was only mitigated by both Mercedes cars being off the pace many expected them to have on race day. With only a week to reset themselves Ferrari will hope that Suzuka will be better-suited to their car than Mercedes’ car. As such, it’s anyone’s guess how the battle at the top will shake out. This is made even more complicated by Red Bull’s win in Malaysia, proving they can run at the top if given the opportunity to race in clean air. From here, the only thing we can really count on is Force India slotting in right behind this group. After that, inconsistency best characterizes the other teams’ performances of late. Let’s say it will be Renault, Torro Rosso, Haas, Williams, and Sauber.
US TV SCHEDULE:
Practice 1: Thursday October 5th, 9:00PM
EST
,
NBC
Sports Live Extra
Practice 2: Friday October 6th, 1:00AM
EST
,
NBCSN
Practice 3: Friday October 6th, 11:00PM
EST
,
NBC
Sports Live Extra
Qualifying: Saturday October 7th, 2:00AM
EST
,
NBCSN
Race: Sunday October 8th, 12:00AM
EST
,
NBCSN
CIRCUIT
INFORMATION
Lap data
Lap length: 5.807km (3.608 miles)
Race laps: 53
Race distance: 307.471km (191.054 miles)
Pole position: Left-hand side of the track
Lap record*: 1’31.540 (228.372 kph) by Kimi Raikkonen, 2005
Fastest lap: 1’28.954 (235.011 kph) by Michael Schumacher, 2006
Maximum speed: 314kph (195.11 mph)
DRS
zone/s (race): Pit straight
Distance from grid to turn one: 545m
Car performance
Full throttle: 66%
Longest flat-out section: 994m
Downforce level: High
Gear changes per lap: 48
Fuel use per lap: 1.8kg
Time penalty per lap of fuel: 0.054s
Strategy
Quickest complete pit stop in 2013: 22.551s by Mercedes (see full list)
2016 prime tyre: Hard (2015: Hard)
2016 option tyres: Soft & Medium (2015: Medium)
*Fastest lap set during a Grand Prix
Data sources:
FIA
, Williams, Mercedes
2016 (V6
TURBO
ERA
) RESULTS
Stats
Pole position: Nico Rosberg, 1:30.647
Race laps: 53
Fast race lap: Sebastian Vettel, 1:35.118
Podium
1. Nico Rosberg – Mercedes
2. Max Verstappen – Red Bull
3. Lewis Hamilton – Mercedes
CURRENT
STANDINGS
Drivers
1. Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes
AMG
Petronas, 281
2. Sebastian Vettel, Scuderia Ferrari, 247
3. Valtteri Bottas, Mercedes
AMG
Petronas, 222
4. Daniel Ricciardo, Red Bull Racing, 177
5. Kimi Raikkonen, Scuderia Ferrari, 138
6. Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing, 93
7. Sergio Perez, Sahara Force India, 76
8. Esteban Ocon, Sahara Force India, 57
9. Carlos Sainz, Scuderia Toro Rosso, 48
10. Nico Hulkenberg, Renault Sport F1, 34
Constructors
1. Mercedes
AMG
Petronas, 503
2. Scuderia Ferrari, 385
3. Red Bull Racing, 270
4. Sahara Force India, 133
5. Williams Martini Racing, 65
6. Scuderia Toro Rosso, 52
7. Renault Sport F1, 42
8. Haas F1 Team, 37
9. McLaren-Honda, 23
10. Sauber, 5
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