2025 F1 News and Prediction League

[pharvey]

Posting this early as I'll be away on the weekend of the Race. Will be an interesting one IMHO - in past seasons this GP has had some "wet moments" to say the least! The race weekend however is forecast to be pretty decent with only a moderate chance of light rain - it's a hell of a quick circuit with only the single DRS Zone due to safety concerns. Typical that Lawson is demoted prior to this race when it's the one track on the F1 circuit so far that he has any real experience on!! Will certainly be interesting to see how Tsunoda handles the Red BS at his "home circuit".

Japanese GP - Suzuka (All Times Shown UK): -
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[PeteC]

Thailand Time

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[PeteC]

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[pharvey]

Managed to catch the Qualifying this morning - that lap came from nowhere! Must admit to having a slight dislike for the Dire Dutchman and "that team" But that was one hell of a performance.

I don't think Crashappen or Red BS have the "Race Pace", but with the likelihood of the odd flag (and grass fire), who knows....

[PeteC]

I got to watch this one, and I shouldn't have bothered. If fell asleep after lap 1 and woke up on the last lap you really didn't miss anything. Compare the Qualifying with the Race and the top 10 in order are almost exactly the same.

[pharvey]

I got to watch this one, and I shouldn't have bothered. If fell asleep after lap 1 and woke up on the last lap you really didn't miss anything. Compare the Qualifying with the Race and the top 10 in order are almost exactly the same.

Yes, caught it myself and it was the without doubt boring - absolutely zip to get excited about and certainly not a great advert for F1. Though that shouldn't distract from Crashappen's performance to take the win (as pissed off as I am about it ).

Will post results when back in the UK and at a PC.

[PeteC]

Yes, perhaps that track shouldn't be used in the future. If no alternative in Japan, then give another country a chance.

Honda would throw a fit though.

[pharvey]

Well, not much to go through really - as mentioned above it was hardly the most exciting of races. The problem IMHO is that the Suzuka track is naturally very quick with only the single DRS Zone which makes overtaking incredibly difficult. The "Flags" didn't factor as I thought they would and the "drizzle" never arrived.... Making this a procession really.

Questions will be asked with regards to McLaren's performance and Ferrari once again were slightly confusing with tactics, Antonelli for Mercedes put in another great shift and Tsunoda's display does go to show how difficult that Red BS car is to drive unless you were gifted the drive as a petulant teenager years past.... That said, Crashappen ran the race perfectly after an incredible Q3, so hats off to him (despite my feelings)....

Congrats to PeteC on taking the lead and Dai_L for the Yellow Cap Both certainly picked up the Bonus Points!!

Anywho: -
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Next up is the Bahrain GP taking place over 11-13th April

[PeteC]

I really don't like the Suzuka track. As you say it was a procession, and it will always be a procession unless someone breaks down, of there is a crash and positions change.

[pharvey]

Following on from Suzuka, we have the Bahrain GP this weekend. Unlike Suzuka, the Bahrain circuit is far better suited to overtaking with its three DRS Zones, so should be a more exciting race. Hard not to be quite frankly as believe it or not, there were only 15 overtakes (after the 1st lap) at the Japanese GP last week....

Anywho - Schedule and Circuit for Bahrain GP (Times Shown UK): -
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[PeteC]

Thailand Time

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[pharvey]

^ Thanks as usual PeteC

Hope you enjoy this one..... If you even decide to watch after Japan

[pharvey]

Would certainly have been interesting at top speed!!!

[pharvey]

Watching FP3 of the Bahrain GP just now and there's truly masses going on that will effect team tactics and car performance.

Pirelli have decided to drop Tyre Pressures by 1 PSI - sounds minimal, but in F1 terms it's hugely significant. Grip and tyre wear/degradation will change dramatically, possibly changing a 2-Stop to a 1-Stop strategy.
Weather and timing: - FP has been held at differing times obviously, and Track Temperatures vary considerably during these times. This in turn effects tyre wear, how down-force is used etc.

The Race itself is going to be held at cooler temps, but wind (and sand) will no doubt play a big part. Hoping this is going to be an exciting race which I think it will be for the lower positions... Though lack of grip could make things very interesting!!

[pharvey]

An interesting Qualifying - Mercedes looking very good, but Piastri takes pole and Norris' error costs dearly for McLaren. Ferrari mixed with Leclerc performing better than expected but Lewis failing to impress yet again Red BS struggling, though it seems Tsunoda is getting a handle on the car.

Hoping for a cracking race!!

The Bahrain Grid: -
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