After a fabulous weekend out in Japan, the cherry blossoms weren’t the only beautiful thing out there. Fans, decorated in their various hats and merchandise, filled the stands. But even more exquisite was an intriguing race full of various and vital strategies. And yes, I am ignoring the elephant in the room, which is the dominating Max Verstappen.

The race was full of lockups, including Lando into turn 11 and Carlos in the last chicane trying to extend the tyres. Charles almost went off too. As well as Logan's run-off towards the end, which seemed to be purely how hard he was trying whilst being on such dead tyres. The tyre strategy was vital to having a successful race but was also what made such an exciting contest.

The red flag causing the collision of Alex and Daniel highlighted that Suzuka is a very narrow track, and the touch was very slight but that has major consequences as it sends you straight into the gravel.

Daniel Vs. Alex

After Alex’s crash in the first lap, it’s good to know that Alex is okay but just a bit frustrated mentally with his performance and the team’s situation. I feel as though over a season it's normal to have crashes and costs to fix your cars, but having so much damage over such a small period of time has got to affect the team. But we must keep in mind that this team is the definition of strong. Ten years of unfortunate seasons, and they are still bouncing back.

James Vowles looked and believed there might be damage with the tub on the front right, but “looks like it's repairable to” him. Alex stated that they are “not in a great position as a team with parts and general damage of the car”. It wasn’t like a big crash, but the way he hit the wall and it being a tyre wall, the tyres went under the car quickly absorbing the speed to 0 km. It was noted by the stewards that Daniel thought he saw Lance coming upon the left and gave him room whilst Alex was thinking he could take him, not knowing Danny would suddenly move in front. Daniel post-race said that he was “scrabbling for some grip”, and going into the weekend he was so hyped and confident that now he has “all this energy” and doesn’t “know what to do with” it.

Alpine

With a terrible start to the season, Alpine is trying to see the positives. After bringing upgrades and desperate need for a change, Doohan believes that they are taking “very small, small steps in the right direction”. The two cars were both struggling with the loss of downforce, and after a promising quali, the race was destined to be a challenge. I think their positives were the garage and the Pitstop crew did really well to get them on track in the best position. Just overall, the car needs a bit (lot) of work. But I have faith, seeing teams have definitely done this before, gotten out of a slump. Take McLaren last year.

Sauber

Zhou had an unfortunate end to his race with a gearbox failure, but Bottas at one point seemed promising for points himself. I believe it was upon entering the pits, and the fact that a quarter of the grid also had the same idea, I think his position was lost with traffic and a slower pitstop.

Haas

On the restart, I was a bit taken aback at how bad Hulkenberg did. At first, I was confused, but I think the pace on the hards was just a lot better, and everyone was wondering at what point will those on softs be exchanging? But with Nico finishing just out of the points, he was impressed with the pace, saying it was “better than what [he] expected before the race” and Kmag that this race gives optimism that they “can be in the hunt”. I mean out of all the teams I am most surprised by their growth this season. In my head after a terrible season last year, they are just a bottom of the field team, but seeing them at the top of the midfield and fighting for points, it is impressive.

Yuki

After watching him being praised like a king over the weekend, genuinely a fan has been by his side the whole time. He said that the fans were amazing and “the amount of energy [he] got every lap from them” was unmatched. He also is the first Japanese driver since Kamui Kobayashi in 2012 to score points at their home GP!!! And I just love how happy he is; in all the interviews, his smile cannot be taken away from him. He made sure to thank his team after their good job and that this they did a “superhero job. Super man was doing pitstops:”. Also happy with his overtake on Pierre he said that they were “not amazing in straight-line speed this week but had confidence in the first sector with confidence” to do this pass of his ex-teammate.

Aston Martin

Lance Stroll not very happy with his car today, not giving much information about how the car felt, I think they along with everyone just lacked pace, and he did mention straight-line speed like a few of the other teams. Alonso said that they still need more pace but are competing with McLaren and Mercedes completely brushing off the Red Bulls and Ferrari’s who are in “another league”.

Mercedes

I believe Mercedes was looking strong coming off the back of a double DNF in Melbourne; towards the middle of the race, I felt they were at their strongest, and in my head, they had a good chance of competing with the McLarens and Alonso. But then again, Lewis was complaining quite early in the race to which being on the hard tyre they felt dead. I thought there was some great teamwork by him being willing to let George through who seemed faster today. I mean it is unsure whether he offered like the broadcasting showed or he was told, but I think they work well together as a team. Toto claimed they had an “atrocious first stint… very good second and third stint” and that these races are “live testing”, which is a little bit worrying in my eyes. I mean it's good they are obtaining data and knowledge, but I would want them in a position where they were confident with their understanding. We will get there eventually. I think in this race and with such distinct competitors they needed to try something different which they did…

Mclaren

Oscar states that it was a “busy race” and that they were “not fighting for positions [they] wanted to be in”. I do think Oscar didn’t have his best race today definitely not showcasing his talents like he has done previously. And the fight at the end against Alonso and trying to get in front was quite confusing to watch, but again I think pace was a problem and so were the tyres and keeping them alive. As well as Alonso being the most experienced driver on the grid and Oscar turning 23 just a few days prior. Happy Birthday Oscar! I felt as though a podium this week was never in the cards for Lando due to how strong Ferrari are at the minute. And Lando knew it as well, Ferrari has made such a big step over the winter break with their new car, clearly being more competitive. he states they were on “another level”. In his post-race interview he was told he then to had taken steps to close the gap to which he abruptly replied that they hadn’t. As last year they were 17 seconds from Max and now they were 29 seconds.

Ferrari

Ok, Ferrari shocked me. After being warned and confident that this race was a minimum 2 stopper, they risked it to only do one. In a race where all the drivers were struggling with tyres and managing them, I was eagerly waiting for Charles to come in. But no. As the lap times after I think 20 or so laps weren’t dropping off, I realised what they were doing. I think overall a great weekend for Ferrari, just the qualifying was a letdown with Charles coming in 8th. Carlos I think has really just given everyone a slap in the face. After Melbourne and the podium placers were asked if they think Carlos is underrated, I too agree that they don’t think the world sees him as underrated, but I think the world is seeing him. The eyes are on him and for him to perform this well consistently, he is really showing the teams what he is made for. It also came out in the post-race show from Will Buxton that “It was Toto who said earlier this weekend that he thinks that a major driver move will be signed in the next couple of weeks. I think it‘s Carlos.” Carlos today did a great job but too agrees that they are simply “not at the level of Red Bull”.

Red Bull

Another 1-2 for Red Bull, and I sit here still wondering how Checo can put in these consistent 2 places behind a very dominating Verstappen and still his future be a mystery. I mean yes, he hasn’t been performing as well as him in the same car but in my opinion, I just don’t see anyone else doing much better when there isn’t that much more one can do. I am very intrigued to see who fills the apparently vacant spot. According to rumours it's Carlos who has been seen talking to Helmut in the paddock this week. But I am unsure. Checo really showed his confidence this week and said it all weekend. I personally can't imagine the pressure he is under. Max stated that they had “a little hiccup in Melbourne” and that the car was a bit of a question mark going to the race. I think the performance he delivered is truly incredible. I have said it before and I'll say it again. Call it boring all you like but this is Max’s dominating era and in years’ time it will be one for the history books. What he and Red Bull are doing is so exciting to watch.

In The Media

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In The Media ---

I wonder if Liam Lawson went to Suzuka?

pardon my sarcasm but I mean I can’t help but notice the excessive camera panning to Liam Lawson straight after any shot of Daniel. And that one where Daniel is out and watching the screen to the slow daunting zoom out to reveal a very eager Liam. I feel that it’s just another De Vries moment. And as much as it pains me as an Australian growing up with Daniel being these sports and our country's prize possession, I can’t see him getting to where he once was. I mean his practice testing at Silverstone before being recruited last year must have been impressive. I would love to see how he competes with Max in the Red Bull? But I don’t know if he will have time for that to be a reality.

Lance?

It's not very often I am surprised by Lance Stroll, but his radio message today where he expressed “it's unbelievable how bad our speed is on the straight man, it's like a different category”, many of things came to my mind. Was there a demon possessing him because it did not sound like him at all. The switch from demonic spirit to 13-year-old boy with a voice crack was so sudden.

Still being haunted by THE intro pose

The photo of George and a fan wearing a top with his 2023 intro pose printed all over it definitely made me smile. But I loved even more Lewis taking the photo. It reminded me of the picture where George is on camera duties for Albon.

But I think them as teammates is something I will really miss; they worked well, had banter. Weren’t crazy pretending to best friends but got along. No I was not in the garage with them but as a viewer their relationship as teammates did come across very strong.

The big 23!

Birthday weekend to Oscar! He had a Chicago Bull I think Cake? I am unsure. But a bit offended it wasn’t AFL jersey seeing he is from Australia, actually no I am glad it’s not AFL because he supports Richmond… sorry.

I especially liked his post with all his birthday cakes growing up although the abrupt stop of the tradition finishing when he was what i can assume at the age he ventured to England for boarding school. I think showed what these drivers o through to achieve their dream. other side of the world at 14? scary.

Photos: Oscar’s Instagram

P’s first Max win

And now the star of the show Penelope. Seeing all the content of her playing with thepit crew and other Red Bull garage members is so cute! She has been over the past 2 weeks been following max around the world to watch his races. With his car failing at his first race with her watching in Australia she couldnt see him up on the top step, but her smile and screaming out to him as he was on the podium made my heart melt.

A Tribute to Jules

It would have been good to see Charles have a podium for his beloved godfather Jules being a decade since his accident but the race was hard today and struggled with his qualifying position. Yet he did have a good race coming from P8 to P4. Should be proud. I also saw a few people note that he was leading the race on lap 17 in parallel to Bianchi’s race number.

Every year at Suzuka, we are reminded of the dangers this sport holds and how the Halo has saved so many lives who are making the sport what it is today. I believe everyone racing today and who will race in the future owes their life to Jules. RIP

Japan - Suzuka

In The Media

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Japan - Suzuka

In The Media

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USA - Miami

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