Official 2024 Japanese Grand Prix Thread ***SPOILERS***

[Piginapoke]

Something of a relief after Australia, as Max can't now win every round (and I’m a fan). Good to see that Ferrari seemed to be on RBR pace, and whether that will be repeated in Japan is the key question for the weekend and maybe the season.

Expect the McLaren to go very well here as it loves fast corners, and another difficult weekend for Mercedes.

I’m going to stick my neck out and say Piastri for the podium, and an outside chance of a win.

Poll is for 1st place, following Ferrari’s performance last race.

Date(s): Friday 5 to Sunday 7 April 2024.

UK Broadcast Timings (and track time)

All sessions are live on Sky F1. Channel 4 is showing highlights of Qualifying and the Race.





2023 Highlights:

https://youtu.be/rPLxuLE62gI?si=wKSh9fQKWYi_HxSi

Tyres:

Hardest compounds C1-C3

2023 Result:

Edited by Piginapoke on Saturday 30th March 13:50

[eps]

Thanks for setting these up, hopefully the previous rounds' thread can now disappear!!

A lot will depend on the tyre deg and compounds.

Still love this circuit, I really need to go and see it in person

[TheInternet]

Thanks PiaP

Piginapoke said:

Date(s): Friday 5 to Saturday 7 April 2024.

Sunday^^

[PhilAsia]

Thanks PiaP, but I'm not convinced that any other team is within 0.3ish per lap of the RB Rocket, so the first of another doldrums of wafty-wins ahead, sadly... then also-rans.

[HighwayStar]

Really looking forward to this one, I’m going to be there

[Derek Smith]

HighwayStar said:

Really looking forward to this one, I’m going to be there

If you've posted that just to make us jealous, it's worked with me. Enjoy yourself.

Thanks yet again, PiaP.

[spikyone]

Short of another brake malfunction, I can't see anyone other than Max winning this one. It's a circuit that could be designed for the Red Bull. The only hope for this being a close one is the weather. Fingers crossed...

[Gad-Westy]

HighwayStar said:

Really looking forward to this one, I’m going to be there

In the nicest possible way….. I hate you!

[HighwayStar]

Derek Smith said:

HighwayStar said:

Really looking forward to this one, I’m going to be there

If you've posted that just to make us jealous, it's worked with me. Enjoy yourself.

Thanks yet again, PiaP.

Thanks Derek.
I haven’t been to a race since Monaco 2002…
Last August we booked a big holiday to Japan, flying out April 1st. While watching last years September Grand Prix it was mentioned the race was moving to April. Checks calendar and we’re in Kyoto that weekend. Google tells me 95km from Suzuka! Tickets bought, shouldn’t be difficult to get there.

[Diderot]

Thanks PiaP.

I’m going for Norris, inaugural win. I’m thinking Max and either Charles or Carlos on the front row, take each other out,, and from third on the grid, Lando takes the victory. Piastri a distant 4th.

And then I woke up and it was all a dream ….

[thegreenhell]

spikyone said:

Short of another brake malfunction, I can't see anyone other than Max winning this one. It's a circuit that could be designed for the Red Bull. The only hope for this being a close one is the weather. Fingers crossed...

Current forecast for next weekend at the circuit:

[Adrian W]

Redbull one and two by a fortnight

[Nova Gyna]

Thanks, PiaP.

I'd be more than happy with considerable cloudiness and periods of rain on Sunday afternoon. Throw in some random exploding bits on car No.1 and Perez to continue his impressive run of 'meh', and we could have a decent race on our hands.

Hoping to see a close scrap between Ferrari and McLaren for the podium, with both Merc drivers left wondering where it all went so wrong come race end.

[Jasandjules]

Adrian W said:

Redbull one and two by a fortnight

Only if they don't in the garage for a spot of lunch during a pitstop... Be about 3 weeks otherwise.

[Nova Gyna]

HighwayStar said:

Really looking forward to this one, I’m going to be there

Count me as another envious of your trip Suzuka is very much on my bucket list, and I almost made it there, but then the pandemic hit, and life sort of got in the way since. I will get there one day.

Hope you have a great time

[Piginapoke]

TheInternet said:

Thanks PiaP

Piginapoke said:

Date(s): Friday 5 to Saturday 7 April 2024.

Sunday^^

Doh!

[HighwayStar]

Nova Gyna said:

HighwayStar said:

Really looking forward to this one, I’m going to be there

Count me as another envious of your trip Suzuka is very much on my bucket list, and I almost made it there, but then the pandemic hit, and life sort of got in the way since. I will get there one day.

Hope you have a great time

Cheers Nova…
We had a 5 day package for Singapore killed off by the pandemic. Unlucky with that, lucky with Suzuka.

[Derek Smith]

HighwayStar said:

Thanks Derek.
I haven’t been to a race since Monaco 2002…
Last August we booked a big holiday to Japan, flying out April 1st. While watching last years September Grand Prix it was mentioned the race was moving to April. Checks calendar and we’re in Kyoto that weekend. Google tells me 95km from Suzuka! Tickets bought, shouldn’t be difficult to get there.

My lad's out there. Flew out today. Name of Matthew. Let me know if you meet him.

He may well be going to the race. Much depends on whether his hosts, his in-laws, have managed to get him a ticket. It's 25 deg at the moment he reckons.

Cherry blossom out now?

[Sandpit Steve]

HighwayStar said:

Derek Smith said:

HighwayStar said:

Really looking forward to this one, I’m going to be there

If you've posted that just to make us jealous, it's worked with me. Enjoy yourself.

Thanks yet again, PiaP.

Thanks Derek.
I haven’t been to a race since Monaco 2002…
Last August we booked a big holiday to Japan, flying out April 1st. While watching last years September Grand Prix it was mentioned the race was moving to April. Checks calendar and we’re in Kyoto that weekend. Google tells me 95km from Suzuka! Tickets bought, shouldn’t be difficult to get there.

Very cool, have a great weekend, not jealous at all!

Suzuka is definitely on the bucket list, wifey wants to go the the World’s Fair in Osaka next year so I might be able to tag along and add the race to the itinerary. Japan definitely has the world’s maddest F1 fans, so many in fancy dress or team uniforms. Memories of getting up in the morning as a kid in 1989 to watch Senna and Prost collide, then again in 1990 when it was all over at the first corner.

[Piginapoke]

Sandpit Steve said:

HighwayStar said:

Derek Smith said:

HighwayStar said:

Really looking forward to this one, I’m going to be there

If you've posted that just to make us jealous, it's worked with me. Enjoy yourself.

Thanks yet again, PiaP.

Thanks Derek.
I haven’t been to a race since Monaco 2002…
Last August we booked a big holiday to Japan, flying out April 1st. While watching last years September Grand Prix it was mentioned the race was moving to April. Checks calendar and we’re in Kyoto that weekend. Google tells me 95km from Suzuka! Tickets bought, shouldn’t be difficult to get there.

Very cool, have a great weekend, not jealous at all!

Suzuka is definitely on the bucket list, wifey wants to go the the World’s Fair in Osaka next year so I might be able to tag along and add the race to the itinerary. Japan definitely has the world’s maddest F1 fans, so many in fancy dress or team uniforms. Memories of getting up in the morning as a kid in 1989 to watch Senna and Prost collide, then again in 1990 when it was all over at the first corner.

Those were the days. I remember when Mansell binned in it qualifying and hurt his back in 87

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YhA9C_7VcRU