Japanese Grand Prix Race Review

The 17th round the Formula 1 Championship took us to Japan and the Suzuka racetrack, one of the most anticipated events on the calendar. The only figure of eight track of the F1 season, Suzuka is legendary amongst drivers and fans alike, classic battles like Senna-Prost and the classic overtakes on 130R, Suzuka never fails to disappoint. 

This year’s Grand Prix weekend followed suit and served up plenty of Drama. Sebastian Vettel secured pole on a Sunday qualifying session due to the Super Typhoon Hagibis that suspended Saturday’s action, but could not hold onto first place after a poor start which Valteri Bottas took advantage of, however the German was arguably lucky to not receive a jump start penalty.

A first lap incident between Max Verstappen and Charles Leclerc led to an eventual retirement by Verstappen and a 15 second penalty for Leclerc (5 for the collision and 10 for driving with a damaged car). The damage also led to debris in Lando Norris’ McLaren which caused a brake fire and held him back for the remainder of the race and part of the Ferrari's front wing flying past Lewis Hamilton, ripping off his wing mirror.

Hamilton was not held back like Norris however, he put on an intense fight with Sebastian Vettel for second place but failed to overtake the German meaning Vettel finished second with the 5-time champion third. That leaves on podium place.

Valteri Bottas ran away with the win this weekend after being fastest in Free Practice 2 (FP2) and qualifying third fastest, into his first win since Baku. With Bottas’ win, Hamilton’s third place and fastest lap meant Mercedes secured it’s sixth consecutive constructors and drivers double.

This is an unrivalled accomplishment and may never be matched, all that is left now is for the driver’s championship to be sealed, with Lewis Hamilton the out and out favourite. The next stop for the Formula 1 Championship is Mexico on October 25th-27th.