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When Formula One’s racy machines entered Suzuka, one of the classic and old school racing venues on the calendar, then a statistic played loud on the minds of the Ferraris, McLarens and the Red Bulls. And it was the lap record set at Suzuka.
A blistering 1:20:70 by Sebastian Vettel (with Ferrari) was evidently under pressure from the likes of McLaren’s Lando Norris and his teammate Oscar Piastri, one reckoned.
But at the end, true to his never-say-die attitude and faultless resilience, McLaren found great competition from the main man at Red Bull, clearly their closest rivals as far as the brand new F1 season stands.
Round three of the Formula 1 season promises to serve appetising entertainment and plenty of fun for the intrepid racing fans around the world.
SportsTiger, in association with Stake, bring out the big key predictions for the 2025 Japanese GP, the land of the Spoon curve and the iconic 130R.
Verstappen in a league of his own and will win
While he may come under strong competition from the twin McLaren cars of Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris on race day, Red Bull’s four time world champion will clearly be the top draw at Suzuka. In securing a strong 41st career pole and bagging his latest in the dying moments of qualifying kept Red Bull in the hunt for top honours and thus, legions of their fans to the edge of their seats. Despite the obvious pressure, Verstappen’s exceptional showing on Saturday clearly means that he’s the man to beat for what could be high-octane action in the next few hours.
The race may deliver a classic two-stopper but Verstappen is likely to come up trumps as far as strategy and race pace stand.
Japan a race to forget for Kick Sauber cars
It was a tough day at ur office for a driver who’s quite accomplished and hugely experienced. Resultantly, it was a tough day at the office for VCARB machines.
Nico Hulkenberg, the third most experienced driver on the current grid, failed to make it to Q2, having been knocked out in the opening session of qualifying itself. Japan’s latest disappointment meant that it was in two of the last three qualifying battles that sordid results came the experienced German’s way in failing to progress during qualifying.
Gabriel Bortoleto would soon find himself knocked out in Q2, but performing slightly better than his teammate.
On Sunday, Suzuka might not favour the VCARB cars who had been in contention to put together a better result in comparison to their outing at China. Sixteenth and seventeenth, at best, is what the two VCARB’s managed at Suzuka.
Japan may seem jaded for Tsunoda in the Grand Prix
Who would have thought that the first time that Yuki Tsunoda, the only Japanese driver on the current grid, would find himself out qualified in a qualiying l, would come at his own home race event: Japan?
Surely, not Yuki. Isn’t it?
But Tsunoda’s promotion to Red Bull didn’t exactly yield in a memorable debut for the senior RB team, even though Saturday’s outcome was just qualifying and not the race result for a Grand Prix.
But surely in gathering a fifteenth in his debut qualifying effort may not have left the avid young driver chuffed. Although, Sunday could spell a different result altogether for the Japanese talent. But then will progressing higher up into the top ten, if at all that’s possible, come all that easy for Yuki?
One can’t say with much confidence. His maiden drive at Japan in a Red Bull car may just be a sight to forget for the latest figure to join the Christian Horner-led camp.
From absolutely nowhere Max Verstappen showed up and delivered for his camp in the decisive moments at Japan showing why he’s a world champion and of such a high repute.
Just when it seemed that top honours for qualifying for Suzuka rested with McLaren, Verstapppen swooped around and delivered a cracker of a lap at: 1-26-983 thus delivering not just a forty first career pole but a fourth consecutive pole position here at the beating heart of Formula 1 in Japan.
In so doing, Verstappen also demonstrated that Honda Power reigned supreme at a track that the iconic Japanese brand themselves created.
Moreover, Verstappen’s unfettered brilliance during qualifying also heated up the battle for top speeds between McLaren and the Milton Keynes-based outfit, thus giving fans in the current season something interesting to look forward to. Besides, giving the McLaren camp something to ponder.
Red Bull-far from over, one would contend!
Spare a thought for Alex Albon on Sunday
After qualifying sixth l for Australia followed by a tenth at China, Alex Albon, once again became the only Williams car to progress to the third and final session of qualifying here at Suzuka. That’s a third consecutive qualification into Q3 for the Thai-British driver and hence, no mean feat.
Looking racier by the tick of the clock and so utterly in control of the twisty and high speed Suzuka track, the Williams driver, who has more experience at the team than recent joinee Carlos Sainz Jr., may just surprise everyone and score a point on Sunday. A hard-fought P9 for Albon is surely bound to excite the Williams camp leaving them hopeful of something exciting coming up on Sunday.
