F1 does not stop and continues its journey in Asian continent. From Singapore, where we witnessed the incredible victory of Carlos Sainz, Suzuka, legendary track and home of the Honda. Let's discover the characteristics of the track together.
History speaks clearly: many new champions here
The Suzuka Circuit is a permanent track built in the Japanese city of the same name by Honda in the 80s. It should have just been a lead to lead gods test, but from 1987 became a fixed stage of the calendar. Only the editions 2007 e 2008 were disputed on the equally incredible Fuji International Speedway.
Long 5807 meters, the circuit presents 18 curves ed only one DRS zone, on the main straight. The many facets of the track make it among the most loved by pilots: in fact, you pass through very slow curves like the famous one hair pin to the more than renowned 130R, which you can walk almost to 300 km/h. Furthermore, it is the only track in F1 history to feature one figure 8 shape, or with a subway and relative overpass.
Suzuka a track for world champions
They were born on this track many world champions. Let us remember, for example, Michael Schumacher, who won his first title with Ferrari right in Japan, in 2000. The last edition was the year of the consecration of Max Verstappen he reached his peak with the victory in the world ranking on this circuit. This place is also famous for the accident that occurred in Jules Bianchi in the grand prix of 2014. The Monegasque, due to a moment of aquaplaning, went off the track and finished under a tractor who was recovering a car that had crashed into the barriers.
The absolute track record belongs to Sebastian Vettel. In the 2019 qualifications, the German with his Ferrari recorded the time of 1'27 "064. The official track record belongs to Lewis Hamilton. The Mercedes driver stopped the clock in the 2019 race 1'30 "983.
Suzuka, the characteristics of the track: still high load and a lot of degradation
Given its longevity in the F1 calendar, we know its characteristics very well. One of the features of Suzuka is the demand for a high load, almost at the levels of last weekend in Singapore. Having a car really aimed at the front will be fundamental. The multiple curves that you travel through fourth or even fifth gear in the first sector they will have to be covered practically wave so as not to risk compromising later all the way around.
The conception of the track, with these curves where the car it slips a lot, it can be fatal for tires. Wear, in fact, will play a role a key factor in winning this race. The nature of the track brings a great difficulty in overtaking, so the strategy will be right very important to try to place as high as possible.
Red Bull seeks redemption and Ferrari confirms
It seemed like making predictions until the Singapore GP very discounted, now it isn't anymore. Do you want for a moment, no, do you want for the technical directive 018, Red Bull was attackable. Sainz took advantage of this, taking the first victory of the season for Ferrari. The Red team, here, seeks confirmation, even if the track is very reminiscent of that of Zandvoort, where the Maranello team went very struggling. If the problems of the Austrian house continue, it will therefore be a wild card for Mercedes e McLaren, ready to take advantage of any opportunity.
Article by Francesco Orlando
