To find out if the Singapore Grand Prix it was only an exception, if Red Bull is really in difficulty, or if Ferrari is back to last year's team we must necessarily wait for qualifying and the Suzuka race. The FP1 but above all the FP2 in Japan they have already given the first responses but there are still many unknowns that will inevitably have to be evaluated tomorrow. One of these concerns the tire degradation that all the teams complained about during free practice. So let's see the Fanta F1 recommendations and forecasts for the weekend in Suzuka.
Red Bull is back, but it's not alone
Just over a week ago we would have bet on 100% of Red Bull victories this season. In Singapore, however, the scenario has rapidly changed. Red Bull seemed more fragile, struggling with a less balanced car, amidst general discontent. Furthermore, the punctuality with which the new directives arrived FIA, on the flexible bottom and wings released on the eve of the Singapore weekend made many think of a correlation between the Red Bull debacle and the application of these. Red Bull But he hopes to be able to explain this drop in performance with better performances in Suzuka, on a different track.
Both on the flying lap and in the race pace simulations the Austrian team manages to make a positive difference. The gap with Leclerc's Ferrari is 3 tenths and the difference comes above all in the sections with fast corners and continuous changes of direction. Max manages the most delicate sections for the tires best, pampering them almost as if to signal that the real battle in the race will be precisely on that aspect. Perez, on the other hand, struggles and pays at least half a second to his teammate.
Ferrari-McLaren compete for the role of second force
At Ferrari, however, there is a certain equality among the drivers. THEthe new fund it works according to Leclerc and Sainz even if the driver with the best lap times has always been the one who didn't have the new specification in either FP1 or FP2. We will only see tomorrow if the team decides to definitively set aside the new fund, even if so far there is a fair amount of optimism due to the fact that Suzuka is a decidedly less friendly track than Singapore. One of the biggest concerns for the Red, in addition to the circuit and Red Bull, will be the comparison with McLaren for the role of second force.
Mercedes, among the top teams, was the one that had the most difficulties during the first day of free practice. In particular with Hamilton, forced to change set-up a few minutes before the start of FP2. However, the team still has time to work and extract the potential of the W14.
Compact group center
This year, Formula 1 is giving its best, especially in mid-pack battles, also thanks to some surprises, such as Williams, which showed a good pace on Friday. Reaching the points zone is not that unthinkable even if qualification, as always, will be a matter of thousandths. Another team that could perform well is AlphaTauri, especially given the excellent results of Liam Lawson who managed to finish in the points in Singapore. Plus this is Yuki Tsunoda's home weekend. The weekend starts off uphill for Alfa Romeo and Haas instead. There are still doubts about Alpine and Aston. The performances are below the top 4, but in the comparison the English team seems to have the upper hand. Furthermore, let's not forget the very high percentage of Alpine withdrawals which this year at Fanta F1 has caused several fantasy managers to suffer.
Recommended training
Let's see, with a base of 100 credits the team that can be created at Fanta F1 in which Max Verstappen finds his place as captain.
VERSTAPPEN – NORRIS – ALBON – LAWSON – TSUNODA
Advice on forecasts at Fanta F1
Let's look at the advice on the Fanta F1 forecast for the Suzuka weekend. The rain should leave us alone this time. Having very fast sections where drivers push themselves to the limit, the chances of Safety coming into play are quite high.
Safety Car in the race: Yes
Virtual Safety Car in the race: Yes
Red Flag in the race: No
Drivers distinguish wet or full wet tires in the race: No
Team double in the race: No
Driver who starts on pole wins the race: Yes
Stables to bring both cars into the top 10: 4
Vehicles forced to retire: 2
We remind you that the qualifications they will start tomorrow at 8:00 in the morning!
