Grand Prix 2017 Japanese Grand Prix Practice, Qualifying & Race Discussion

Without a doubt Suzuka is my favorite circuit to drive around (on my PS4) and one of my favorites to watch. It is a proper old school track with lots of tricky technical corners and as we have seen this year the old school tracks are giving this generation of F1 cars the best chance at doing some actual racing.

This track suits Mercedes and Redbull if past form is anything to go by. Mercedes & McLaren Mercedes along with Redbull have shared the spoils since 2004 which is the last time a Ferrari won in Suzuka.

Lewis has 3 wins around here 2 of which came in 2014 and 2015, however Hammy will hope for a better start than last year as he had a shocker dropping to 8th off the line leaving Nico to take the win. I don’t think it will be a walk in the park for Lewis as Ferrari have gained ground.

Seb (3 wheels on my wagon) Vettel has 4 wins in Suzuka all with Red Bull and will be looking to break Ferraris form book in Japan with a win. I certainly wouldn’t count him out despite that 2004 Ferrari stat. He clearly likes the circuit. It does feel like a ‘must win’ for Seb as he is starting to get a little too far behind in the championship battle after Malaysia. However you could easily argue that the Ferrari has had the clear race pace over the Mercedes in the last 2 races. So who knows maybe Seb has the best car in the closing races all he needs is for his luck to change. There is a question over needing a new gear box at this stage after the bizarre crash with Stroll and the strange call to take his steering wheel with him. His behaviour is becoming rather erratic to say the least. But with just 5 races left including Japan we are into the final quarter of the season and Sebs time is running out for the championship challenge. He needs a result here.

Driver silly season is all but over, the big question of the 2nd Williams seat still remains open as does who will be in Carlos seat at Toro Rosso. Hope seems to be fading for Palmer to stay in F1. But I’m sure he will do well across the pond. Personally I’m hoping for a shock announcement of Kubica getting a seat.

So on with the race, another early one I’m afraid. Coffee on standby.

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Since the Merc has obviously regained its overwhelming superiority over all of the other teams (for the 4th straight year), all his pole shows is that he is faster than Bottas (who has allegedly been told he is the number 2 driver).
 
The Mercedes era isn’t over and it’s a shame that Rosberg isn’t racing anymore. Bottas isn’t competitive and if his currrent form continues until the end of the season, Mercedes might consider other options.
Ferrari could fall behind Red Bull, because Red Bull has been in fantastic shape since the summer break.
 
Sergio Perez was not a happy boy today, was he? Being made to hold position behind Ocon led to some "interesting" radio communication.
 
Alonso given 2 points on his licence for ignoring blue flags and Vettel given a non-driving reprimand for not attending the National Anthem.
 
No, why should it?
Because if you leave a team because it keeps failing you, then your replacement goes out and wins a Championship, it would be extremely frustrating. But if that team fails your replacement, just like it failed you, then you can feel a little better about your decision to leave.
 
Massa and Alonso ruined the end of that race.
It looked that way, but Max said it wasn't the case, that though he could see Lewis had some issues at the end he wouldn't have been able to pass him and the lapped cars didn't really make a difference.
 
Probably not, but it’d have been nice to find out rather than get Alonso to put a block in. Verstappen shouldn’t lose a second lapping.
 
Since the Merc has obviously regained its overwhelming superiority over all of the other teams (for the 4th straight year), all his pole shows is that he is faster than Bottas (who has allegedly been told he is the number 2 driver).

I can see why you can come to that conclusion but I have to respectfully disagree. Whether his car was the best or not does not take away from how technically brilliant Hamilton drove on his pole lap. On board footage is awesome.
 
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