Formula 1 Aramco Japanese Grand Prix 2026Formula 1 

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Fezzik1983
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Fezzik1983
The F1 circus heads to Japan for a real test of the new regulations at the historic Suzuka circuit. Overtakes have been scarce at this track the last few years so it will be interesting to see how many take place with the new electrically boosted machines. Mercedes have been on top so far with Ferrari not too far behind (in the race). Red Bull & McLaren will be looking to make a mark - and actually start a race in Oscar Piastri's case. Expect many cherry blossoms, special liveries and Aston Martin retirements at the JAPANESE GRAND PRIX.

2026tracksuzukadetailed.webp


Circuit length: 5.807km

First Grand Prix: 1987

Number of laps: 53

Fastest lap time: 1:30.965 (Kimi Antonelli in 2025)

Race Distance: 307.471km​

(posted in the absence of @Jimlaad43 and a wee bit early I know)
 
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^ love the Godzilla addition.

I think Haas and Ferrari will do well this weekend based on the nature of the track.
 
Jak Crawford has the dubious honour of replacing Alonso in FP1 for Aston Martin. Congrats to Nando who is apparently a dad now.
 
1774492769373.webp


So they're now hoping teams can charge 8 MJ under braking and avoid (super)clipping, of course lap time will be slower with 8 instead of 9 MJ. Assuming there are 5 hard braking points at Suzuka (T1-2, Degner, Hairpin, Spoon, last Chicane) they can maybe recharge 8 MJ under braking alone in those turns and don't clip on top since not allowed to charge more, at least in quali.
 
toastet
View attachment 1523668

So they're now hoping teams can charge 8 MJ under braking and avoid (super)clipping, of course lap time will be slower with 8 instead of 9 MJ. Assuming there are 5 hard braking points at Suzuka (T1-2, Degner, Hairpin, Spoon, last Chicane) they can maybe recharge 8 MJ under braking alone in those turns and don't clip on top since not allowed to charge more, at least in quali.
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I'm fine with this, they would have been able to recharge the 9mj but the reduction to 8 takes away emphasis on the recharge so it's a good move.

Considering Melbourne was 7 or something, we should see all out attacking quali laps now. Perhaps they've realised that just because they can recharge the maximum, doesn't mean they have to.
 

Motorsport.com understands Norris' battery was plagued by a software problem that bricked the battery and made it unusable, and it is believed the unit is permanently damaged and removed from Norris' component pool.

Piastri was instead understood to be struck by a hardware issue with an auxiliary component connecting the battery, and there is some optimism the Australian's battery can continue to be used after fixing the individual part.
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I said to all of my mates and students that it'll take three races to see the lay of the land this year.

People don't want a spec series but it is a great equaliser.
 
toastet
🤷‍♂️

View attachment 1523765


www.the-race.com

Why Verstappen removed journalist from his Japan F1 media session

Max Verstappen refused to start his Japanese GP media session until one journalist had left it - which stems from a clash at the 2025 season finale
www.the-race.com www.the-race.com
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www.theguardian.com

Why Max Verstappen gave me my marching orders from a press conference | Giles Richards

Max Verstappen’s ultimatum blindsided me, but there are more serious issues than an F1 driver being cross with you for doing your job
www.theguardian.com www.theguardian.com
 
So Russell and Antonelli 1-2 in FP1, but Piastri was P1 in FP2.



If their cars can actually stay running long enough to see the race start then McLaren do seem to have the pace to keep Mercedes honest here. Ferrari very much appear to be 3rd best.
 
MagpieRacer
So Russell and Antonelli 1-2 in FP1, but Piastri was P1 in FP2.



If their cars can actually stay running long enough to see the race start then McLaren do seem to have the pace to keep Mercedes honest here. Ferrari very much appear to be 3rd best.
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McLaren long run was worse than Ferrari and Mercedes in an another dimension
 
Looks like qualifying is going to be another Merc only affair....they seem to be worlds away from the rest. Hopefully everyone else is much much closer in the race.
 
Veinz
The sandbags will be removed in Q2.
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There’s actually sand on the track at this point.

Gerarghini
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I’ve never seen this before, but the music is perfect. It needs to be dubbed over Max crashing into other drivers and shoving Ocon.

*Oscar Piastri will start the race from FP3

Why does Lawrence Baretto look like he should be dressed up as Elvis? I’m seeing the big ear buds he has on mixed with the hair and he looks like he should be on a stage with a microphone and flare pants on

 
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I would love to watch this weekend but the AppleTV account I created at the first of the season would not accept my password and says the account is locked. So now I'm sitting around waiting on support to grant me access (if they ever do) to my account which can take up to a day. Hopefully i gets fixed before the race.
 
Wow, another pole for Kimi. Well done. 😮

I wonder if Charles has enough room to pounce the Mercs into Turn 1 tomorrow, and if Oscar has enough grunt to keep in the fight.

Honestly, I just want both McLarens to finish the dang race. Double points would be a bonus. 😅
 
Hamilton is probably very ok to know that the guy in front of him has the same ability to make a superb start.
 
Apparently Tiger Woods has had yet another car crash, this time rolling a Range Rover while under the suspected impairment of an unknown substance other than alcohol.

And I think the substance is this:

Screenshot_20260328_110252_Bluesky.webp


Because that can get into my veins.
 
Jezza819
I would love to watch this weekend but the AppleTV account I created at the first of the season would not accept my password and says the account is locked. So now I'm sitting around waiting on support to grant me access (if they ever do) to my account which can take up to a day. Hopefully i gets fixed before the race.
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I had the same problem when I tried to the bundle off with Peacock, 1 successful then locked down and they told me to piss off so I paid $4.99 to sign up then cancel.

I did end up signing up again using a different email and will probably cancel before the next payment is due because this new version of F1 is garbage. Its too bad too because I like the F1 interface and using the F1TVPro access its possible to watch the recorded quali session and switch the feeds and they are synced. The SKy international feed has better audio too.

Sureboss
These engines are a complete failure currently, especially in qualifying trim, let's hope something can be done.
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Enjoy the edited "onboard" pole lap with their fake audio and offboard view to hide the super clipping.

 
IforceV8
Enjoy the edited "onboard" pole lap with their fake audio and offboard view to hide the super clipping.

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They even dared to put a comment under the video saying that he had a camera failure, and they cut away because of that.

But as I understand it the onboard is available for the full lap on the F1TV streams.

Edit: This is actually false. His other lap is available, but his camera did indeed cut out on the pole lap there as well.
 
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IforceV8
I had the same problem when I tried to the bundle off with Peacock, 1 successful then locked down and they told me to piss off so I paid $4.99 to sign up then cancel.

I did end up signing up again using a different email and will probably cancel before the next payment is due because this new version of F1 is garbage. Its too bad too because I like the F1 interface and using the F1TVPro access its possible to watch the recorded quali session and switch the feeds and they are synced. The SKy international feed has better audio too.


Enjoy the edited "onboard" pole lap with their fake audio and offboard view to hide the super clipping.

Click to expand...

I finally got access to AppleTV restored. But even after I got the email this morning saying access had been restored it took several attempts. I kept getting "en error has occurred please try later" but eventually it went through.

I've never had any trouble with Peacock. I occasionally have to work on Saturdays like last weekend for Sebring in IMSA so I was able to login on my work PC and watch it that way.
 

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