In Japan Red Bull comes back to life and wins the third double of the season, which, added to that of Ferrari in Melbourne, becomes the fourth overall. Until now Red Bull and Ferrari have exchanged roles, marking an increasingly greater gap with the competition. Even in a race where the values on the track were put at risk by the strategies. The rain didn't arrive but there were certainly no shortage of unexpected events, starting from the red flag on the first lap. Then arriving at tire degradation, higher than expected, which once again changed the teams' plans and possible scenarios. Let's see the tops and flops of the Japanese GP at Fanta F1.
Tops and Flops of the Japanese Grand Prix: the tops
Let's start with the positive surprises of this Grand Prix. Leaving aside Red Bull, given that we cannot speak of a surprise in this case but of a further confirmation of the absolute supremacy of this team.
Charles Leclerc: Ferrari achieved another important result in Japan. Carlos Sainz thanks to his excellent strategy and good pace he achieved the fourth consecutive podium for the team, fifth if we count the double. The team finished 20 seconds behind the first Red Bull, that of Verstappen. A result like this just a few months ago, when the last race was held at Suzuka, was not even imaginable. Although the Spaniard who currently boasts a 100% percentage of races and podiums got on the podium, Leclerc's performance deserves a place among the top. Starting eighth after a disappointing qualifying in the race, he completed a stint on the medium tyres, which almost earned him the podium, which was lost when Sainz arrived on fresher tyres. The difference with those who started further forward, like Norris, is substantial. Qualification remains to be polished, a major weak point of this SF-24 which is perhaps waiting for updates to turn on. At the Fanta F1 Charles, also thanks to the vote of the Sky driver, gets quite a few points.
Yuki tsunoda: Yuki finally leaves the home race with a smile and also with 1 point for the team, which is experiencing a real drama with the other driver on the grid, Daniel Ricciardo. He makes up for his teammate's mess with a 10 cum laude performance, making some risky but calculated overtaking moves. You can tell he's growing up. His Fantamanagers are also happy.
Logan Sargeant: when he noticed that someone was stealing his last place with a bonus at the Fanta F1, he put his hand on his heart and went straight onto the gravel, making sure to remove his Alpine lenses, before returning to the track. The Fantamanagers thank you.
Tops and Flops of the Japanese Grand Prix: the flops
Daniel Ricciardo: Daniel Ricciardo had a disastrous start to the season, involved already on the first lap of the Japanese GP in a heavy accident with Alexander Albon which put both of them out of action. In one of the decisive weekends for his future, this out puts him in an increasingly uncomfortable position and opens up a scenario similar to that of last year. Compared to De Vries, however, Daniel could run even fewer races. Already called into question after the first three races in which Daniel paid the price for the comparison with Tsunoda, due to a feeling that isn't there yet, the negative spiral continues which seems to leave him with no way out. Net of the faults or non-faults of this contact, despite Daniel's bad start. What matters is what you show on the track and so far there hasn't been a single occasion where Daniel has shown a sign of recovery. Now everything becomes more difficult, even for his Fantamanagers at Fanta F1.
Alexander Albon: three accidents in two weekends. With this balance, Williams seriously puts its survival at risk. Already called upon to make a difficult choice in Australia without a reserve chassis for both Albon and Sargeant to race, forced to give up his car to the Thai. However, the risk does not seem to be enough. In Japan there were two accidents which in this case involved both pilots. Sargeant got away with it on Friday, not damaging the chassis. However, Albon's accident at the start of the race was perhaps more serious. Alexander doesn't appear to have done anything to avoid finding himself in a dangerous situation. He perhaps pays for the team's nervousness and lack of competitiveness in a season that risks weighing heavily on the finances and on the shoulders of the Fantamanagers.
Alpine: overtaken by everyone, they don't even manage to bring home the +10 bonus for last place. The situation of the French team is truly embarrassing.
