Red Bull set for Suzuka celebration after Singapore Grand Prix shock.
Red Bull need score only a point more than Mercedes at Suzuka on Sunday (Sept 24) to retain their Formula One constructors' title and trigger celebrations after last weekend's Singapore shock.
Sep 21, 2023
Reuters
AsiaOne

After failing to win for the first time this season, and 15 victories in a row dating back to the end of last year, the champions look likely to be back to their dominant ways in Japan. Last year in a rain-shortened race Max Verstappen sealed his second championship with team mate Sergio Perez completing the one-two.

The runaway championship leader, now 151 points clear of Perez, must wait a while longer for his third title but Red Bull are set to complete their half of an inevitable double at a track owned by partners Honda. They currently have a 308 point advantage over Mercedes and 332 over Ferrari, with only 309 points -- including those from sprint races and fastest laps -- still to be won after Suzuka.

"I think we will be quick in Suzuka," Verstappen said last Sunday. "It should be good for our car. The track is always super-fun to drive so I hope as soon as we put the car on the track that it's in a good window."

‘Red Bull set for Suzuka celebration’;

https://www.asiaone.com/singapore/re...hock#gsc.tab=0


LIVE COVERAGE: Follow all the build-up ahead of the Japanese Grand Prix weekend
21 September 2023
Becky Hart.
Special Contributor.
Formula One - Official Site

Build-up to the Japanese Grand Prix. Hello and welcome to the Land of the Rising Sun...

The F1 circus is back in Japan, at one of the most iconic circuits on the calendar. The fast and flowing Suzuka has hosted many epic battles over the years, but what does 2023 have to offer?

‘The build-up’;

https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/a...EkvB7om5t.html


Lewis Hamilton at odds with Toto Wolff as Mercedes boss misses Japanese Grand Prix
Toto Wolff will not be supporting Lewis Hamilton in person at Suzuka.
06:28, Thu, Sep 21, 2023
By Archie Griggs
Daily and Sunday Express

Lewis Hamilton has insisted that Mercedes will not be looking to completely 'bin' their current W14 challenger at the end of the year. The 38-year-old's verdict is at odds with that of Toto Wolff, who will not be in attendance at this weekend's Japanese Grand Prix in order to undergo knee surgery.
Mercedes have made plenty of positive strides in recent months after ditching their unsuccessful 'zeropod' concept but remain some way adrift of Red Bull, who have been setting the pace virtually all year.

Despite this, Hamilton is not expecting the Silver Arrows to make an entirely fresh start in 2024, with the Brit insisting that his current car is still a 'masterpiece' regardless. "We won't ever bin this car, these cars are still masterpieces even if they aren't the fastest in the world," said the Brit in Thursday's press conference at Suzuka.

"There will be bits of it that we try to change, try to hold on to some of the positives. With the new direction we have it is far too early to say and be optimistic about next year's car, but I have full faith in the crew." It comes after Wolff suggested last weekend that Mercedes will completely ditch their W14 concept when the season draws to a close. The 51-year-old was adamant that while the current car is 'really fast', next year's W15 will be a huge step forward after many months of relentless work behind the scenes.

‘WOLFF: Completely ditch their W14 concept, VERSUS, HAMILTON: "We won't ever bin this car” ’;

https://www.express.co.uk/sport/f1-a...d-Prix-F1-news


Liam Lawson: Previous Suzuka experience 'should help' but Japanese GP will be 'a steep learning curve'
21 Sep 2023
Formula One - Official Site (Video)

Having raced at Suzuka in other racing categories, AlphaTauri driver Liam Lawson hopes his experience will help him in the 2023 Formula 1 Japanese Grand Prix.

'A steep learning curve';

https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/v...665049395.html


Japanese GP organisers left red-faced after Ferrari BLUNDER
Thursday 21 September 2023 04:57
Cal Gaunt
GPFans

Officials at the Japanese Grand Prix recently addressed a funny oversight involving Ferrari drivers Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc in the lead-up to this weekend's race. The awareness of this issue arose only subsequent to the circulation of a viral photograph on Reddit, which prominently displayed the placement of Sainz's banner above both sides of the Ferrari garage.

Sainz has garnered considerable attention in recent weeks due to his noteworthy achievements, including securing pole position at Monza earlier this month and claiming a spectacular victory in last week's race in Singapore. His triumph at Marina Bay marked a significant milestone, as he became the only driver aside from the Red Bull duo of Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez to clinch a race win in the 2023 season.

‘Sainz's banner above both sides of the Ferrari garage!!!’;

https://www.gpfans.com/en/f1-news/10...rrari-blunder/