Japan Preview- Hamilton hoping to break Japan duck
Hamilton looking to finally win at Suzuka
There aren't many circuits left where Lewis Hamilton is yet to win, but Suzuka is probably the most prestigious.
The championship leader will be keen to finally break his Japanese Grand Prix duck and stretch his advantage over Nico Rosberg, which currently stands at three points.
Hamilton has the championship lead and the momentum, having won the previous two races. He arrives in Japan as the clear favourite to win his eighth race of the season.
Lewis Hamilton
However, Rosberg should be a strong opponent. The German has always performed well at Suzuka and will see this as a golden chance to regain his championship lead.
Rosberg should be a man reborn this weekend. He no longer has the pressure of being chased by Hamilton, and can arrive refreshed.
The pressure, he will say, is on Hamilton. But there is no doubt that he needs to finish ahead of his team-mate this week, or Hamilton could drive away with the title.
Typhoons set to cause havoc
Apart from a wet track in Hungary, we are yet to see rain fall on a Sunday afternoon this year. But if the weather forecasters are to be believed this weekend could see a lot of it.
This year, the weather has yet to have a massive effect on a Sunday, so it is about time it got involved and disrupted proceedings at Mercedes.
An epic championship battle needs plenty of rain towards the end of the year, to create even more chaos. In Japan we are going to get some, and with some added interest.
Debutant Verstappen will break records
This story does not lose its shock factor, despite it being two months since it was announced. This weekend, it reaches a new level as F1 gets to see 17-year-old Max Verstappen for the first time.
Max Verstappen
The Dutchman will become the youngest ever driver to compete at a grand prix weekend. It is a record that is unlikely to be broken.
He will compete in FP1 tomorrow, in place of Jean-Eric Vergne for Toro Rosso, in order to start his preparation for the 2015 season, where he will be a full-time driver.
Toro Rosso are throwing him in as early as they can, following his birthday this week. At 17, most people get a driving lesson. Verstappen gets an F1 drive.
He is 14th favourite to be the fastest man on Friday. But if he is as good as the hype surrounding him suggests, that number will fall sharply and quickly.
Alonso decision could be due
Fernando Alonso
The rumour mills are working overtime this weekend, but it seems there may be movement in the announcement of the future of Fernando Alonso.
The Ferrari driver is rumoured to be on his way out and back to McLaren after a falling out with the Italian team’s bosses.
The love that once burned has long since been lost.
Alonso and Ferrari are a marriage of convenience and it is becoming apparent that it may no longer be convenient for either party.
The truth is we aren't far away from finding out, and it will be a running theme amongst the media all weekend.
Alonso will say he is happy, but won’t rule out leaving. Ferrari will insist he is staying.
But the ones we all need to hear from are McLaren, because the announcement of their 2015 drivers, which is getting closer and closer, will give us the true answer.
The Track
Teammates Senna & Prost worst moment in Japan 1989
There isn’t a finer race circuit on which a championship battle is fought.
Suzuka is the home of championship deciders. Greats such as Prost, Senna, Hill, Hakkinen, Schumacher and Vettel have all become world champions on this legendary track.
Suzuka, perhaps more than any other circuit, is a true all-round test. It’s fast, it’s technical and it separates the greats from the nearly greats.
To win at Suzuka, you have to attack it. Intensity is needed. Bravery is rewarded.
Corners such as Degner, Spoon, the esses and 130R are amongst the greatest on the calendar. There is no let-up at Suzuka, which makes it the perfect championship decider.
Sadly, in recent times it has been moved from the end of the year. But it still remains a classic, and a venue for champions.
Track Information
Race start- 3pm (Local) 8am (CET) 7am (GMT)
Track Length- 5.8 KM
Laps- 53
Tyres- Hard (Orange) and Medium (White)
Lap Record- Kimi Raikkonen (2005): 1:31.540s
Predictions
Unfortunately for Nico Rosberg, it doesn't look like Lewis Hamilton can be stopped on current form. The Brit is favourite to break his Suzuka duck and extend his championship lead. If he doesn't break down, its Hamilton’s to lose.
Behind Mercedes, Red Bull will expect a strong weekend again. Sebastian Vettel has the edge on Daniel Ricciardo here, and could complete the podium.
- Lewis Hamilton
- Nico Rosberg
- Sebastian Vettel
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