Suzuka is “unfinished business” for Hamilton

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Lewis Hamilton, McLaren, Suzuka, 2009

Lewis Hamilton says he is looking forward to being able to race a competitive car on his second visit to Suzuka for next week’s Japanese Grand Prix.

Suzuka is very much unfinished business for me. I raced the best I could last year, but our car just wasn’t fast enough.

This year, I’m holding nothing back – I need a strong result to get my title hopes back on track, and that will be my complete focus from the moment I first sit in the cockpit on Friday morning.

Now is not the time to hold back; now is the time to fight.
Lewis Hamilton

Hamilton said he prefers the John Hugenholtz-designed Suzuka circuit to the Fuji track F1 last raced at two years:

The first two Japanese Grands Prix of my Formula 1 career were held at the Fuji Speedway. While that’s a great circuit, on arrival at Suzuka for the first time last year, it was clear that this was one of the great racetracks of the world.

It’s a real driver’s circuit – you need to be committed and precise to do well there, and there’s no room for error either: no tarmac run-off, and all the barriers are pretty close, so any mistake is going to hurt your chances big-time.

It’s also a place with a lot of history. Before I first went there, it was a place I always associated with Senna and Prost, and their incredible rivalry. But it only ever existed on the television screen – walking the track for the first time, and knowing I was standing on the same spot of tarmac where two giants of the sport traded blows was an exciting experience.
Lewis Hamilton

Team mate Jenson Button believes the Japanese track is a good fit for his driving style:

I’ve had some great results at Suzuka, but I’ve never won in Japan.

I think it’s a circuit that suits my style – it’s all about scrubbing off as little speed as possible through the corners and maintaining a very smooth and precise rhythm: get it wrong and you’re usually scrabbling to regain your momentum for several more corners. It’s a punishing place.
Jenson Button

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    14 comments on “Suzuka is “unfinished business” for Hamilton”

    1. I expect Hamilton to really shine on this circuit, and a podium finish is definitely on the cards for him.

      I do not think Jenson’s ‘smooth’ style, also known as ‘lack of pace’, will do him any good on this circuit. I do expect him to bow out of the championship after this race. He had a good run… and none of us thought he’d get this far.. so hats off to him.

      1. unless he “hami” tries to do a decisive overtake and hurt his car again… 3 is a charm they say

    2. Its Hammer Time
      1st October 2010, 10:36

      I really hope your right Fellas…Monza and Singapore made for depressing viewing for the Mclaren faithful…

    3. Really hoping lewis does well next weekend! If he can’t win at least if he finish ahead of vettel and alonso, that would be a great result to keep him in the fight. So, finger crossed!

      1. I would hope for a Button win, with Lewis second and maybe get Rosberg or Kubica on the podium again in front of Vettel, Alonso and Webber.

        That would be good to get these guys even closer together!

    4. Let’s hope it doesn’t carry on that history and a Red Bull runs into someone again this season!

    5. You got to love the passion.

    6. I think if Sutil wins Lewis will be world champion.

      Sorry that I have to say this but his chances are so slim he will give his best but he is a lot points behind. And McLaren doesn’t have the best car so the last 4 races to points will be between Red Bull and Alonso. I would stick with Weber.

      1. I think if Sutil wins no-one will care who’s champion!

      2. He’s less than a win’s worth of points behind, you can’t count him out yet.

        1. McLarenFanJamm
          1st October 2010, 14:16

          Based on last years points sytem he is only 5 points behind, with 4 races left that’s nothing. All it takes is a couple of wins (as demonstrated by Alonso) and you will be saying it’s his to lose. Typical Knee-jerk reactions

    7. exactly! lewis is not that far behind.
      If webber crash and lewis win with Alonso finish third, lewis will lead the championship again. 20 points looks a lot but it’s nothing. The only worry is the car. Will mclaren be competitive in suzuka? we”ll see.

      1. Younger Hamilton
        1st October 2010, 17:38

        That exactly what i thought to myself imagining Mark Crashing in the first corner and Lewis leading from Seb from Jenson from Fernando God i hope its like that in the real world next week.But i do think McLaren will be stronger in Suzuka its where Red Bull and Ferrari are thats what matters

    8. Looking through the record book it looks like that this circuit will favour Red Bull but Lewis needs to be positive & needs to bring out the maximum out of this race. The last sector should be their strongest point.

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