Grand Prix 2014 Japanese Grand Prix Practice, Qualifying & Race Discussion

Lewis Hamilton is quoted as saying that whilst some are interested in getting the winning trophies from the F1 classics of Monaco and Monza he is much more interested in winning the ‘modern classics’ such as Silverstone, Spa and Suzuka. The fact that Suzuka is now a classic F1 race is not in doubt in my mind and whilst there was a move for it to be shared with Toyota’s home track in the late noughties it has been a staple diet on the F1 calendar since the 80’s. It has a much fabled history and was setting for the most talked about battle blows between Prost and Senna and whilst it won’t decide the championship this season it has been the deciding round on many occasions. Track wise its not the easiest one to pass on but it is unique in being a figure of eight and having a cross over point. It also has the much fabled 130R and I for one am looking forward to seeing how the 2014 spec F1 cars look going through it this year.

Last season was the first time since 1987 that the manic Japanese fans did not have a home driver to cheer on but, barring a sudden Caterham driver change, this year they will have Kobayashi to cheer on. In fact there is an official Kobayashi stand at the track this year. Kobi has very much been a legend with overtakes and performance on this track however you would think that he has his work cut out in the shopping trolley like Caterham car this year. The other home interest is of course Jenson Button who is judged as being Japanese through marriage. JB has always been good round here and whilst the Mclaren is not a race winner this year it does seem to be getting better and Button’s form has actually, whilst unheralded, has been very good this year and I expect him to push for a top 6 finish.

Championship wise this is a complete opposite to Singapore with neither Merc drivers having good form on this track. Results wise this is Lewis Hamilton’s worst track with a 3rd in 2009 behind Vettel and Jarno Trulli in a Toyota (!) being his best result. That’s not to say he hasn’t been quick round here but its just that the results have not come. Nico Rosberg meanwhile has never got higher than eighth but will have the bit between his teeth after a nightmare Sunday at Singapore. I expect the race win to be a battle between the two Mercs and if I had to put money on it then I’d give it to Hamilton but then I’d have said that at every round this year.

Down the field it will be interesting to see if Ferrari are as on from as they were in Singapore and also if Alonso can beat Kimi like he has all season when Suzuka is most certainly Kimi territory as he has had some mighty mighty drives around here. The Vettel/Riccardo scrap has been fascinating all season and I’ve no doubt it will be a close one yet again with Vettel seemingly at least on terms with his impressive young team mate in the last few races. Williams are impossible to predict as they seem to have a super car one week and a midpack car another but its interesting to see that Massa’s form has certainly improved of late. JEV comes to Japan after an brilliant drive in Singapore and seemingly with his young Russian team mate now in hand.

Its an early morning race start if you are based in Europe and a very late night if you are over the Americas but I’m sure you’ll all be watching. Are you a Japan fan or does this race bore you to tears? Will be interesting to hear people’s views on both the race and what you expect to happen in 2014.
 
Wet race = delayed start/ safety car start/ red flag/ endless laps behind the safety car = pointsless!

I know nobody wants to see anyone crash and get hurt but whats the point in wet tyres if they still cant race.
 
What time is kick off Japanese time? If rains and it's too late the race might have to be on Monday as it will be dark.
 
Some fun stats; neither Hamilton nor Rosberg has won in Japan and Ferrari hasn't won it since 2004 whereas Vettel has won 4 out of last 5 Japanese GPs. So, victory for Red Bull?
 
What time is kick off Japanese time? If rains and it's too late the race might have to be on Monday as it will be dark.

Just seen some information about this on Twitter, the typhoon is expected to hit mainland Japan on Monday so the weather is only likely to get worse not better if it is delayed. The other issue which has the teams more concerned is the packing up and transporting of all the equipment to Russia for next weekend. The typhoon could potentially ground all flights anyway so teams will be wanting to leave Japan as soon as is physically possible.

There is a real danger of the whole event being cancelled. Or it could just all be headline generating scaremongering.
 
Starts under the safety-car are totally pointless. But races run under a deluge aren't much fun either and leave too much to chance. A rainy track can spice up the action but a totally-sodden tarmac with zero visibility isn't good for anyone, I think. When a driver goes off aqua-planning in the middle of a straight neither he nor the car is at fault, it's purely down to the throw of a dice. When races and championship can be decided by it it's just unsatisfactory.

If it were to be a wet race, great. If it were to be a case of rivers running across the track and so on personally I'd rather have it postponed. Just my opinon there.
 
Crofty has just made an interesting point on twitter:

David Croft ‏@CroftyF1 1m1 minute ago
Quick thought on possible Typhoon disruption to Japanese GP. If the rain is heavier later in the day on Sun could the race start earlier?

Is there any precedence to this or indeed anything in the regulations that will allow a race to be brought forward rather than delayed. I know it would create carnage for fans both going to the circuit and the ones back home watching on TV but surely it's a better solution than no race at all.
 
They could always do 75% race distance behind the safety car so that points could be awarded, with the grid based on qualifying positions weather permitting, or even better, by finishing positions in the previous race. ;)
 
I don't even want to think about the possibility of this race getting washed out.

At least it looks like Qualifying will be bright and sunny :)
 
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