Japanese Grand Prix Race Analysis
Once again, it’s a Grand Prix weekend as we focus on the famous 5.807-kilometer Suzuka International Racing Course in Japan, which hosted its first Grand Prix in 1987.
The McLaren team is the frontrunner to win this race, as they’ve won the first two rounds of this season.
Australia and China: Grand Prix Recent History
Max Verstappen has won every Japanese Grand Prix since the COVID-19 epidemic. Although 2020 and 2021 were canceled, Verstappen has dominated the race since then.
This year, his teammate Yuki Tsunoda will make his Red Bull Racing debut at his home Grand Prix. Tsunoda was given the nod after teammate Liam Lawson gave such a poor performance in the two opening rounds of the season. Lawson replaced Sergio Perez at the end of the 2024 season but is now part of the Racing Bulls.
The McLaren team is the one to watch, as Lando Norris won in Australia and his teammate Oscar Piastri won in Shanghai, China. Last year, Norris finished fifth at Suzuka, while Piastri crossed the finish line in eighth place. They’re expected to do much better this year, but will they pass Verstappen?
Limited Runoff: Weather and Track Considerations
The current weather forecast is for a dry track for Friday’s practices and Saturday’s qualifications. Friday will be sunny and 17 degrees Celsius with only a 3% chance of rain. Saturday, clouds will arrive, and there is a 10% chance of rain. The winds will die down to 13 kph from 18 kph.
A cold front coming in Saturday evening is expected to bring light rain Sunday morning. Although the weather may improve prior to race time, the race will probably start with a wet track.
Rain was expected to arrive near the end of the Shanghai race, but it never did. The chance of rain in Suzuka is much higher and could cause another chaotic event.
Wet or Dry? Japanese Grand Prix Prediction
Ferrari is in the back of the field after their double disqualification in China. Drivers Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton are talented, but their efforts won’t be enough to grace the podium.
George Russell and Mercedes aim to reach the podium. In a crowded field, Russell is only expected to do well if McLaren and Red Bull have issues.
It would be an amazing feat for Verstappen to win this race to make it four in a row, but he does have the experience of winning at Suzuka in dry and wet weather. Has he lost some of his edge, as shown in the last two races, or will this race mark his comeback of the season?
My prediction depends on the weather. On a dry track, Norris will win. On a wet one, Verstappen has the experience on this tight track with limited runoff in which a Safety Car has been deployed in seven of the last ten races.
Keep your eyes on the skies and remember to follow us at BossAction to be aware of the most important Formula 1 news.
