1.
08:00
Start qualifying
The traffic lights are green, qualifying has started in Suzuka. Nicholas Latifi is the first driver to take to the track.
07:54
The distance
The Suzuka Circuit is one of those tracks on the calendar where the drivers are challenged all the time. The track is 5.807 kilometers long and has eight left-handers and ten right-handers. In particular, the “S-curves” and the fast left-hand bend “130R” demand a great deal of skill from the drivers.
07:47
What is possible for the German drivers?
It will probably be difficult for the German drivers today in the fight for Q3. Both Sebastian Vettel and Mick Schumacher ended up behind the top ten places in the final practice session.
07:42
Verstappen wins final training
While it rained in Suzuka on Friday, today’s final practice session took place in dry conditions. Max Verstappen completed the best performance in 1:30.671 minutes. He ended up a good three tenths ahead of the Ferraris of Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc. Fernando Alonso, who finished fourth, was doing well. Sergio Pérez was fifth ahead of George Russell and Lewis Hamilton in the second Red Bull. Lando Norris, Esteban Ocon and Lance Stroll completed the top ten.
07:36
Only two places left for 2023
Saturday in Suzuka started with new driver announcements for 2023. Pierre Gasly is leaving AlphaTauri and will drive alongside Esteban Ocon at Alpine from the coming season. Gasly is leaving the Red Bull family after nine years. AlphaTauri has already found a successor. Nyck de Vries was signed. De Vries won Formula 2 in 2019 and the Formula E World Championship in 2021. In addition, he was under contract with several racing teams as a test driver and, above all, got talked about as a replacement for Alex Albon at the race in Monza. This leaves only two free seats for 2023. One at Haas and one at Williams.
07:29
In Suzuka to the world title?
It’s really only a matter of time before Max Verstappen secures the 2022 World Championship. In Japan, the Dutchman, who currently has 341 points, would only need eight points more than Charles Leclerc and six more than teammate Sergio Perez. Leclerc could then still equalize on points, but then the victories would count and there he can no longer catch up with Verstappen.
Warm welcome!
Things are getting really serious for the first time this weekend at Formula 1 in Suzuka. Starting at 8:00 a.m., drivers will be fighting for pole position for tomorrow’s race in Japan!