Official 2022 Japanese Grand Prix Thread ***SPOILERS***

[Piginapoke]

Round 18 and we’re returning to Suzuka, another race that we missed in 2020 and 21 due to Covid. It's good to be back at a proper, old-school circuit after Singapore. If Max wins here with fastest lap he’s World Champion, regardless of what Leclerc does. (and he probably will as the RB18 will be mighty).

It will be interesting to see the McLaren v Alpine battle, which is really hotting up after Singapore.

Max wins for me, probably a Red Bull 1-2 as I can’t see any other car getting close.

Here’s to a great race!

Date(s): Friday 7 October to Sunday 9 October 2022.

UK Broadcast Timings (and track time)

All sessions are live on Sky F1. Qualifying and the race are shown as highlights on Channel 4.





2019 Race Highlights:

https://youtu.be/b0G4-Vp2TS0

Live timing for all sessions available here:

https://www.formula1.com/en/f1-live.html

Lap times, PU component use, technical reports and Stewards' decisions for the weekend will appear here:

https://www.fia.com/events/fia-formula-one-world-c...

Weather forecast: (there is some rain about)

https://www.myweather2.com/Motor-Racing/Japan/Suzu...

Tyre options:

Pirelli has chosen the hardest range of tyres: C1, C2 and C3.



2021 Race Result:

N/A

Drivers’ Championship:



Constructors’ Championship:

Edited by Piginapoke on Tuesday 4th October 20:58

[BrettMRC]

I think we may see a resurgence of petulant Max here after the issues at Singapore
He will either smash lap times or the wall...

[Sandpit Steve]

Love this place, and like Singapore it was missed the last couple of years, albeit for very different reasons! A proper old-school track this one, as with Monza and Spa, pretty much unchanged since Senna and Prost were fighting for wins. What is it about Suzuka, that immediately makes me think of Senna and Prost, I wonder?

Gonna be fun for the teams, effectively nine hours’ time difference from last weekend, where they stayed on UK timing for the event - there will be a lot of jet lag around!

There could be three cars fighting for the win here, but this season has been so unpredictable up until now and there was half a tenth between three different cars last weekend, at the very different SIngapore. What we do know, is that Ferrari and RB generally have qualifying pace, whereas RB and Mercedes generally have race pace.

Thanks @Piginapoke for the thread as always!

[axel1990chp]

Turn 1 collision for the top 4 I'm estimating, whoever they may be!
Further off-track pushing through the S's

[honda_exige]

Most anticipated F1 news today :

Honda logo back on the RB from Japan onwards

https://www.redbullracing.com/int-en/honda-strengt...

[Muzzer79]

BrettMRC said:

I think we may see a resurgence of petulant Max here after the issues at Singapore
He will either smash lap times or the wall...

I think we will see a resurgence of the dominant Max seen in the 5 races before Singapore.....

I can't see anyone getting close to the Red Bulls so I've predicted an RB one-two.

[Mark-C]

One of my favourite circuits so good to see F1 back here ... looking forward to the race and hope to see the championship extended a little longer by a Ferrari win .. which is clearly unlikely!

[PhilAsia]

honda_exige said:

Most anticipated F1 news today :

Honda logo back on the RB from Japan onwards

https://www.redbullracing.com/int-en/honda-strengt...

The update I think we were all waiting for! Now I can get on with the rest of my day and not check up on PH. Thanks h_e

Edited by PhilAsia on Wednesday 5th October 10:04

[PhilAsia]

Another fan of JP here. Max will breeze it. Thanks PiaP!!

[Piginapoke]

PhilAsia said:

honda_exige said:

Most anticipated F1 news today :

Honda logo back on the RB from Japan onwards

https://www.redbullracing.com/int-en/honda-strengt...

The update I think we were all waiting for! Now I can get on with the rest of my day and not check up on PH. Thanks h_e

Edited by PhilAsia on Wednesday 5th October 10:04

Stand by for a 2026 engine deal announcement shortly

[Sandpit Steve]

honda_exige said:

Most anticipated F1 news today :

Honda logo back on the RB from Japan onwards

https://www.redbullracing.com/int-en/honda-strengt...

LOL, so Honda were desparate to run away, until their engines started actually winning? How much more has it now cost them, to put their own logos back on the car?

[TheDeuce]

Sandpit Steve said:

honda_exige said:

Most anticipated F1 news today :

Honda logo back on the RB from Japan onwards

https://www.redbullracing.com/int-en/honda-strengt...

LOL, so Honda were desparate to run away, until their engines started actually winning? How much more has it now cost them, to put their own logos back on the car?

They're Japanese so I would assume when they said they had to leave the sport they meant it. But then things do change and things have changed. RB now field the best car, with a very good driver and the 26' PU regs have been simplified and are a lot more relevant to actual road cars they can sell. It kinda makes a lot more sense to keep one hand in F1 somehow than it did when they opted to leave entirely.

Also as F1 electrifies further, that will likely appeal to them.

[PhilAsia]

Piginapoke said:

Stand by for a 2026 engine deal announcement shortly

Ikkei Maaas!

[vulture1]

Every jonny come lately fan when they see the track map. "OMG isn't that dangerous the cars have to cross over each other!"

[tertius]

vulture1 said:

Every jonny come lately fan when they see the track map. "OMG isn't that dangerous the cars have to cross over each other!"

Roundabout … so you give way to cars from the right …

[ajprice]

vulture1 said:

Every jonny come lately fan when they see the track map. "OMG isn't that dangerous the cars have to cross over each other!"

Hmm, this track in Wreckfest but it is a crossover not a bridge

[mat205125]

Suzuka is one of those venues that an absolutely amazing track, however not likely to bring great racing.

High speed stability will play to Red Bull strengths.

Google search for the weather forecast for the circuit could potentially be wet

[Mark-C]

BBC Coverage --> https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/formula1/61545268

Date	Session	Time	Radio coverage	Online Text
Friday, 7 October	First practice	04:00-05:00	BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra and BBC Sounds	From 03:45
Friday, 7 October	Second practice	07:00-08:30	BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra and BBC Sounds	From 06:30
Saturday, 8 October	Third practice	04:00-05:00	BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra and BBC Sounds	From 03:45
Saturday, 8 October	Qualifying	07:00-08:00	BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra and BBC Sounds	From 06:00
Sunday, 9 October	Race	06:00-08:00	BBC Radio 5 Live and BBC Sounds	From 04:30

[Smollet]

F.

[Diderot]

Thanks as always PiaP. Fab stuff.

Love this track.

I reckon Max will be on it from the get go.