At the Suzuka circuit in Japan—a demanding track famed for its figure-eight layout and high-speed turns—Max Verstappen initially felt an air of intimidation in his early Formula 1 days. Those days of trepidation are behind him, and the dynamic circuit now seems the perfect venue for Verstappen to counter his most recent disappointment: a brake fire leading to an early retirement in the Australian GP, which snapped his nine-race winning streak.
Reflecting on the performance in Melbourne, Verstappen acknowledged their speed but noted the outcome was less than ideal. “Our car normally likes the higher-speed corners, so hopefully we can show that again this weekend,” he said with an eye toward leveraging his car’s strengths at Suzuka’s fast turns.
Indeed, expectations are high for the three-time F1 champion to excel on Sunday, especially given his performance in Friday’s first practice session, where he clocked the fastest time. He opted out of the second session as teams decided against running in light rain to conserve tires.
The Dutchman, who secured his second F1 title in 2022 and dominated last season to claim his third consecutive championship, finds the Suzuka track to his liking. He remarked on the schedule shift that places the Japanese race amidst the cherry blossom season, a renowned time of year in Japan.
With rain predicted for race day, a common condition in Suzuka’s traditional autumn slot, the conditions could shape the outcome. Verstappen started this season strong with victories in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia, but attention on his team has been split due to issues surrounding team principal Christian Horner’s alleged behavior.
Asked about rumors of a switch to Mercedes, Verstappen affirmed his satisfaction at Red Bull, mentioning his current contract extending through 2028 and musing on whether he’d wish to continue in the sport beyond that.
Meanwhile, Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz assesses the challenges of closing the gap with Red Bull but is also focused on securing a new seat for the next season, given Lewis Hamilton’s reported move to Ferrari. On the Mercedes side, George Russell and Lewis Hamilton face their own hurdles, acknowledging the car’s struggles with high-speed sections which Suzuka is known to have in abundance.
One mishap on Friday saw Logan Sargeant of Williams damage his car, compromising his weekend performance. While Williams aims to ready the car for the weekend, Sargeant’s readiness to take charge remains strong.
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AP Formula 1: https://apnews.com/hub/formula-one
FAQ Section
Q: Why is Suzuka a significant track for Max Verstappen?
A: Max Verstappen secured his second and third F1 titles at the Suzuka circuit, and it is a track where his car’s strengths—high-speed corners—are particularly advantageous.
Q: How did Verstappen perform in the first practice session at Suzuka?
A: Verstappen set the fastest time in Friday’s first practice session, leading the pack ahead of his teammate and competitors.
Q: Will the Japanese Grand Prix continue to take place during the cherry blossom season?
A: Yes, the F1 calendar has been modified so that the Japanese GP now coincides with the cherry blossom season, a celebrated time across Japan.
Q: What challenges is the Mercedes team facing at Suzuka?
A: The Mercedes car is reportedly struggling with high-speed corners, which Suzuka has plenty of, potentially making the circuit less favorable for them.
Q: What is Logan Sargeant’s situation at Williams for the weekend?
A: Sargeant crashed in the first practice session, causing significant damage to his car. Although Williams aims to repair his car in time for the weekend, there may be challenges due to the extent of the damage.
Conclusion
As the Formula 1 entourage takes on the intricate and high-speed Suzuka track, Max Verstappen is poised to regain his lead after an uncharacteristic setback in Australia. With his proven record at this circuit, eyes will be on the Dutch champion to see if he can once again master the demanding track. Amidst the technical challenges faced by other teams and drivers navigating their own storylines, Suzuka promises to be the center stage for thrilling battles and potentially pivotal moments in the 2023 F1 season.