As we wait to learn the result of the FIA’s inspection of the Korean International Circuit, the race organisers have issued new photographs showing the extent of development at the circuit so far. It is widely believed next week’s race at the new circuit will go ahead and official word from the FIA is expected … Continue reading Aerial photos of the Korean F1 track
Going into the Japanese Grand Prix weekend Felipe Massa had the words of Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo ringing in his ears. Montezemolo made various remarks to the effect that he expected Massa to drive quicker and continue to help support team mate Fernando Alonso’s championship bid. Instead Massa had a weekend so dreadful it … Continue reading Disaster for Massa (Ferrari race review)
Both McLaren drivers finished behind the Red Bulls and Fernando Alonso Suzuka. That means both could be eliminated from championship contention at the next race. More unreliability and a strategic gamble that failed to pay off blunted McLaren’s challenge in Japan.
Heikki Kovalainen all-but confirmed Lotus as the highest-ranked new team in the constructors’ championship by finishing 12th in the Japanese Grand Prix. With Jarno Trulli finishing 13th the team look set to claim tenth in the teams’ championship and win a significant amount of prize money.
Kamui Kobayashi was in great form at his first home race. He passed a string of cars with some astonishing late-braking moves to score points for the sixth time this year. With Nick Heidfeld finishing behind him this was also Sauber’s biggest points haul of the season.
The strategies of the Mercedes drivers came into conflict as Michael Schumacher spent half the race stuck behind Nico Rosberg. But could it have been avoided? Michael Schumacher Nico Rosberg Qualifying position 10 6 Qualifying time comparison (Q3) 1’31.846 (+0.352) 1’31.494 Race position 6 17 Average race lap 1’43.533 (-0.994) 1’44.527 Laps 53/53 47/53 Pit … Continue reading Schumacher sixth (Mercedes race review)
Williams had both cars in the top ten in qualifying again but only scored two points. Still it helped reduce the gap to Force India in the constructors’ championship. Rubens Barrichello Nico Hulkenberg Qualifying position 7 9 Qualifying time comparison (Q3) 1’31.535 (-0.024) 1’31.559 Race position 9 Average race lap 1’43.739 Laps 53/53 0/53 Pit … Continue reading Hulkenberg gets hit (Williams race review)
Sebastien Buemi ended the team’s six-race points drought by bring the car home in the top ten for the first time since the European Grand Prix. Sebastien Buemi Jaime Alguersuari Qualifying position 18 16 Qualifying time comparison (Q1) 1’33.568 (+0.097) 1’33.471 Race position 10 11 Average race lap 1’43.776 (-0.707) 1’44.483 Laps 53/53 52/53 Pit … Continue reading Points at last (STR race review)
Amateur video from the Japanese Grand Prix shows Sebastian Vettel came very close to jumping the start. The video shows Vettel’s Red Bull moving and then stopping again before the start was given. Vettel held his lead at the start while Mark Webber, who started second, lost his place to Robert Kubica.
The most bizarre moment of the Japanese Grand Prix weekend was surely Lucas di Grassi’s crash on the way to the grid before the race began – something neither he nor the team have fully explained. Timo Glock Lucas di Grassi Qualifying position 22 21 Qualifying time comparison (Q1) 1’36.332 (+0.067) 1’36.265 Race position 14 … Continue reading Mystery crash (Virgin race review)
Force India failed to score for the fourth time in six races for reason not entirely within their control at Suzuka. That allowed Williams to move within two points of them in the constructors’ championship. Adrian Sutil Vitantonio Liuzzi Qualifying position 15 17 Qualifying time comparison (Q2) 1’32.659 (-0.495) 1’33.154 Race position Average race lap … Continue reading Sutil’s scare (Force India race review)
As the FIA begin their inspection of the Korean International Circuit, Red Bull have revealed their simulation of what F1’s latest new venue should look like. The simulation is a long way from the unfinished facility we saw footage of a few weeks ago. Will it all be ready on time – and how close … Continue reading How Korea is supposed to look (Video)
Robert Kubica looked on course for a strong result in Suzuka – until his wheel fell off. With Petrov crashing out at the start, Renault failed to score for the third time this year. Robert Kubica Vitaly Petrov Qualifying position 3 13 Qualifying time comparison (Q2) 1’32.042 (-0.38) 1’32.422 Race position Average race lap 2’07.363 … Continue reading Failure halts Kubica (Renault race review)
Thanks to the high number of retirements in Suzuka, Bruno Senna scored his best finish to date for HRT. That keeps them ahead of Virgin in 11th place in the constructors’ championship. Sakon Yamamoto Bruno Senna Qualifying position 24 23 Qualifying time comparison (Q1) 1’37.365 (+0.095) 1’37.270 Race position 16 15 Average race lap 1’49.404 … Continue reading Senna’s best finish (HRT race review)
Sebastian Vettel was in crushing form at Suzuka and stamped his authority all over the Japanese Grand Prix weekend. Although he wasn’t quite able to match Fernando Alonso’s Singapore feat of a perfect result he came very near to finishing on top in every session in Suzuka. The only time his name failed to appear … Continue reading Vettel adds to his tallies – except fastest lap (Japanese Grand Prix stats and facts)
Hope you all enjoyed the race, if not the early start. Let us know what you got up to with the rest of your day in the comments below. Here’s today’s round-up: Links Teams say postponement inevitable (Autosport) "Ross Brawn says Formula 1 may have to accept that there is nothing it can do to … Continue reading F1 Fanatic round-up: 11/10/2010
Sebastian Vettel continued his love affair with the Suzuka circuit with an emphatic win from pole position.
Mercedes may have missed an opportunity to prevent Michael Schumacher getting stuck behind Nico Rosberg during the Japanese Grand Prix. Schumacher spent 23 laps stuck behind his team mate. Without the delay he might have been able to capitalise on Lewis Hamilton’s later problems to take fifth place.
Vitaly Petrov has been handed a five-place grid penalty for the next round of the championship at Korea for his collision with Nico Hulkenberg on the first lap of the Japanese Grand Prix. However Felipe Massa has not been punished for his collision moments later with Vitantonio Liuzzi. All four drivers retired from the race. … Continue reading Petrov penalised, Massa spared (Poll)
You need to upgrade your Flash Player View interactive chart full screen Tick/untick drivers’ names to show their laps, click and drag to zoom Rank Driver Car Fastest lap Deficit to fastest lap 1 Mark Webber Red Bull-Renault 1’33.474 2 Jenson Button McLaren-Mercedes 1’33.529 0.055 3 Sebastian Vettel Red Bull-Renault 1’33.653 0.179 4 Fernando Alonso … Continue reading Japanese Grand Prix fastest laps