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Suzuka – Cherry Blossoms & F1

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Posted on April 3, 2024 Tags:



Daniel running out of options

The New Zealand media has been spruiking ever since the Australian Grand Prix that Helmut – Red Bull’s heavy hitter – has issued an ultimatum to the Perth superstar after his disappointing start to the 2024 F1 season.

Whether it’s true or not, there is no doubt the pressure has never more intense than now for the 34-year-old who simply must deliver some much-needed points to his struggling RB team.

Daniel is a Street Fighter

However, things simply haven’t worked out for him so far this year. More sheer bad luck than judgement. But he has been slower than Yuki in all three races, with the deficit substantial in Saudi Arabia and Australia.

Mind you, word is that Helmut doesn’t rate Yuki highly either!

No one can blame Liam

According to one home-grown report last week the young New Zealander is viewed by Red Bull as Sergio Perez’s successor – not Tsunoda or Ricciardo!

You can’t blame Liam for taking every opportunity he can. After all, that’s the name of the game!

To add to the pressure this weekend, Red Bull-backed rising star Ayumu Iwasa is tipped to make his F1 debut with RB during practice at Suzuka,

It’s hard to believe Daniel could be replaced after just five races – even Nyck de Vries lasted 10 in 2023.

Certainly, the Aussie must bring home a bag of points from Japan and China to silence the critics.

All about extraordinary Suzuka

Before now the Japanese Grand Prix race was always scheduled for the second part of the season, in September or October.

As a result, Suzuka has frequently crowned world champions – both in the drivers’ and manufacturers’ standings. The last two years have been no exceptions: in 2022, Max Verstappen sealed his second title at the venue, while last year Red Bull were crowned constructors’ champions.

Suzuka, Mie, Japan

These temps could mean a one-stop strategy becomes possible, especially for drivers who are gentle on their tyres.

But a two-stopper traditionally is the most common strategy, due to the energy going through the tyres and the stress to which they are subjected.

It’s an extraordinary challenge for cars and drivers, and a true test for Pirelli’s boots – in terms of wear – due to high levels of asphalt roughness and abrasiveness.

Not forgetting the forces and loads to which they are subjected throughout the variety of corners that make up the lap.

The Suzuka circuit has 18 corners, some of which – such as Spoon, 130R and the uphill combination between Turns 2 and 7 – are among the most famous on the world championship calendar.

Less well-known are the two Degner corners, named after Ernest Degner, a Polish-born motorcycle racer of the 1950s and 1960s, who was raised in East Germany.

Turns 8 and 9 of the Suzuka track are now named after him as a tribute to his contribution to Japanese motorcycling history.

To date there have been 37 editions of the Japanese Grand Prix, 33 of which have been held at Suzuka. The remaining four took place at the Toyota-owned Fuji track.


Is Michael the Greatest of them all?

In terms of team achievements, McLaren has the most victories (9) while Ferrari has the most pole positions (10).

Two days of Pirelli testing are scheduled for Suzuka following the Japanese Grand Prix with Stake F1 Team Kick Sauber and Daniel’s Visa Cash App RB Formula One Team.


 

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