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 F1’s most iconic tracks with turns like 130R, the 'S curves’, and featuring the only crossover on the F1 calendar. Unlike last year, weather does not seem like it will be a major factor in this year’s race.
Red Bull arrive in Japan after experiencing something they have not yet in 2023: defeat. After an uncharacteristically poor showing in Singapore the team will look to regroup and return to their winning ways this weekend. Look for Max Verstappen to take the win; however, due to the poor result in Singapore he will not be able to clinch the championship in Japan. On the AlphaTauri side of the garage there have been some signs of improvement in the last two races so expect one car to be in contention for a point.
Elsewhere on the grid, look for this to be a general ranking of team performance coming into the race weekend:
1. Red Bull
2. Mercedes
3. Ferrari
4. McLaren
5. Aston Martin
6. Alpine
7. Williams
8. Alfa Romeo
9. AlphaTauri
10. Haas
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US TV SCHEDULE
Practice 1 – Thursday, September 21 – 10.25PM – ESPN2
Practice 2 – Friday, September 22 – 1.55AM – ESPN2
F1 Show – Friday, September 22 – 3.45AM – ESPN3
Practice 3 – Friday, September 22 – 10.25PM – ESPN2
Qualifying – Saturday, September 23 – 1.55AM – ESPN2
Ted’s Qualifying Notebook – Saturday, September 23 – 4:00AM – ESPN3
Grand Prix Sunday – Saturday, Saturday September 23 – 11.30PM – ESPN2
Japanese Grand Prix – Sunday, September 24 – 12.55AM – ESPN2
Checkered Flag – Sunday, September 24 – 3.00AM – ESPN3
Ted’s Race Notebook – Sunday, September 24 – 4.00AM – ESPN3
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: 1’27.319 by Lewis Hamilton, 2017
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)
2023 tyre choices: Hard (C1), Medium (C2), Soft (C3)
*Fastest lap set during a Grand Prix
2022 RESULTS
Race Info.
Pole position: Max Verstappen, Red Bull, 1:29.304
Race laps: 52
Fast race lap: Zhou Guanyu, Alfa Romeo, 1:44.411
Podium
1. Max Verstappen – Red Bull
2. Sergio Perez – Red Bull
3. Charles Leclerc – Ferrari
CURRENT STANDINGS
TRACK MAP AND VIDEO
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