This week's Formula One stop off is the land of the rising sun and Suzuka for the Japanese Grand Prix. Ferrari has put an end to Red Bull's dominance, but can the bulls fight back?
Image credit: Mercedes Press Site
In this latter stage of the season, it seems Formula One is finally gaining a sense of competitiveness at the front. Monza saw Carlos Sainz hold Max Verstappen outside of the leading position for longer than he has been most of the year and Singapore featured the first non-Red Bull win of the season.
But as the paddock makes its way to the land of the rising sun, the team with Honda affiliation will certainly be keen to return to the front. In fact, this weekend, Red Bull's current engine supplier will be celebrating not only a race in its home country, but at a circuit the manufacturer owns.
Aside from the fight at the top, there are plenty of stories going on up and down the field. Taking place at one of the all-time top circuits in Formula One, the 2023 Japanese Grand Prix will have a lot to offer.
The most impressive part of all this is that Oscar has achieved all this whilst holding just a single year contract with the Papaya team. The pressure of any mistakes potentially impacting one's career longevity will certainly take its toll.
But as of this weekend, the youngster need not worry for another three years. In fact, he and McLaren have signed a long-term contract until 2026. The team is confident enough in this special talent to retain him even into the series' next ruleset. With the pressure of performance off the driver's shoulders, what can he do in the remaining races of 2023?
Whilst unconfirmed as of the time of writing, rumours in the paddock also point towards another signing taking place this weekend. Prior to the Singapore GP, we mentioned that Alpha Tauri is the only team with a fully unannounced driver pairing for next year. It seems this will no longer be the case come Sunday as Yuki Tsunoda is set to retain his seat at the Red Bull owned outift.
Indeed, the team has another chance this weekend in Suzuka, though due to the poor points haul last time out, it is still something of an outside chance. But with fewer races to go, Max Verstappen is also now very nearly able to seal the deal on the driver's title. Whilst not possible this weekend due to a lower than usual points haul in Singapore, the odds are certainly in Max' favour for Qatar.
If one track was ever known for its title deciders, it would certainly be Suzuka, having a rich history of nail-biting finishes, controversial decisions and dominant displays. If the history of F1's Suzuka title battles is something that interests you, an article on the best Japanese battles will release this weekend here on RaceDepartment.
As ever, every session will be available to watch live on F1TV as well as each country's official broadcaster. Typically, Formula One posts lots of highlight reels and social media clips to their YouTube channel the week following a GP. So if you appreciate your sleep, you are sure to not miss out. Here are the all important session times for the weekend.
Free Practice 2: 8:00am-9:00am CET
Qualifying: 8:00am-9:00am CET
Will you wake up for the Japanese Grand Prix on Sunday morning?
Image credit: Mercedes Press Site
In this latter stage of the season, it seems Formula One is finally gaining a sense of competitiveness at the front. Monza saw Carlos Sainz hold Max Verstappen outside of the leading position for longer than he has been most of the year and Singapore featured the first non-Red Bull win of the season.
But as the paddock makes its way to the land of the rising sun, the team with Honda affiliation will certainly be keen to return to the front. In fact, this weekend, Red Bull's current engine supplier will be celebrating not only a race in its home country, but at a circuit the manufacturer owns.
Aside from the fight at the top, there are plenty of stories going on up and down the field. Taking place at one of the all-time top circuits in Formula One, the 2023 Japanese Grand Prix will have a lot to offer.
Pressure Off For Piastri
Despite a rocky start due to McLaren's poor initial car, it's fair to say Oscar Piastri has had an impressive rookie season in Formula One. Following McLaren's major upgrades earlier this summer, the young Australian put in a succession of eye-catching results from a front row start in the Belgian GP Sprint Race to a top-4 finish at Silverstone.The most impressive part of all this is that Oscar has achieved all this whilst holding just a single year contract with the Papaya team. The pressure of any mistakes potentially impacting one's career longevity will certainly take its toll.
But as of this weekend, the youngster need not worry for another three years. In fact, he and McLaren have signed a long-term contract until 2026. The team is confident enough in this special talent to retain him even into the series' next ruleset. With the pressure of performance off the driver's shoulders, what can he do in the remaining races of 2023?
Whilst unconfirmed as of the time of writing, rumours in the paddock also point towards another signing taking place this weekend. Prior to the Singapore GP, we mentioned that Alpha Tauri is the only team with a fully unannounced driver pairing for next year. It seems this will no longer be the case come Sunday as Yuki Tsunoda is set to retain his seat at the Red Bull owned outift.
Title On The line?
Following a dominant season, Red Bull had its first chance to claim the constructor's championship last time out at Singapore. With a rather catastrophic weekend by their standards, the letter was not quite sent on the street circuit. However, with every passing race, the team name is being slowly etched into the trophy.Indeed, the team has another chance this weekend in Suzuka, though due to the poor points haul last time out, it is still something of an outside chance. But with fewer races to go, Max Verstappen is also now very nearly able to seal the deal on the driver's title. Whilst not possible this weekend due to a lower than usual points haul in Singapore, the odds are certainly in Max' favour for Qatar.
If one track was ever known for its title deciders, it would certainly be Suzuka, having a rich history of nail-biting finishes, controversial decisions and dominant displays. If the history of F1's Suzuka title battles is something that interests you, an article on the best Japanese battles will release this weekend here on RaceDepartment.
How To Watch The Japanese GP
Taking place halfway around the world from the majority of F1 fans in Europe, Africa and America, the Japanese Grand Prix requires some interesting sleeping patterns. In fact, practice sessions take place in the middle of the night for Europeans. Competitive sessions such as Qualifying and the race force fans to either commit to an early rise, or decide they aren't as passionate as once thought.As ever, every session will be available to watch live on F1TV as well as each country's official broadcaster. Typically, Formula One posts lots of highlight reels and social media clips to their YouTube channel the week following a GP. So if you appreciate your sleep, you are sure to not miss out. Here are the all important session times for the weekend.
Friday:
Free Practice 1: 4:30am-5:30am CETFree Practice 2: 8:00am-9:00am CET
Saturday:
Free Practice 3: 4:30am-5:30am CETQualifying: 8:00am-9:00am CET
Sunday:
Japanese Grand Prix: 7:00am-9:00am CETWill you wake up for the Japanese Grand Prix on Sunday morning?
