Posted on 03/26/2026 1:11:44 PM PDT by WhiteHatBobby0701
Circuit: Suzuka International Racing Circuit
First race: 1987
Length: 3.608 miles (5.807 metres)
Race distance: 53 laps (191.054 miles / 307.471 km) Lap record: 1:26.983, Max Verstappen, 2025 Qualifying (Q3)
Race lap record: 1:30.965, Kimi Antonelli, Lap 50, 2025 race
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F1 Schedule - All Times EDT:
THURSDAY
2000-2045: Ferrari Challenge FP1
2230-2330: F1 FP1
FRIDAY
0000-0045: Porsche Carrera Cup FP1
0200-0300: F1 FP2
0330-0400: Ferrari Challenge Qualifying
2120-2150: Porsche Carrera Cup Qualifying
2230-2330: F1 FP3
SATURDAY
0010-0045: Ferrari Challenge Race 1 (30 minutes and one lap)
0200-0300: F1 Qualifying
2040-2115: Ferrari Challenge Race 2 (30 minutes and one lap)
2155-2230: Porsche Carrera Cup Race (12 laps with a 30 minute time limit)
SUNDAY
0100-0300: F1 Aramco Japanese Grand Prix (53 laps with a 120 minute time limit)
The Vegas line on the number of DNFs in 4.5
How about DNS?
I miss F1…. :^(
Most of these “XYZ explained” articles are lame but this one’s not bad:
Suzuka’s 130R and the S Curves: F1’s Most Technical Corners Explained
https://f1chronicle.com/suzuka-130r-s-curves-explained/
Now the jeanyuses in the FIA think they'll fix that problem BY MAKING IT WORSE. The TR (C5.2.10) allows recovering 8.5 MJ (2.4 kWh)* and they're reducing that to 8.0 MJ (2.2 kWh) for the qualies at Suzuka. It's also going to exaggerate Mercedes' power advantage because, as was feared before the season began, (and my post above shows) Mercedes has a distinct advantage in ICE horsepower.
Of course it won't produce more see-saw overtaking because there isn't supposed to be any overtaking in the qualies. But if you wanted to guarantee Mercedes is going to lock out the front row -- and it ain't like they needed help in that regard -- this ought to do it.
*All the news reports I've come across say the existing limit was 9 MJ/lap but I'm reading from a copy of the TR dated 27 Feb of this year and the limit is 8.5 MJ, NOT 9.
RE: The FIA lowering the recovery to 8 MJ:
Gary Anderson proves that the FIA doesn't know how to add and subract.
Oliver Bearman offers blunt response to crucial F1 rule change
For a teenager, he's got a pretty good grasp of things (and he isn't what I'd call 'complimentary' of the rule change).
The Canal+ (FR) promo for the Aramco GP features a Mario Kart inspired promo.
https://x.com/MV33Racing/status/2034026917993513378
With roughly 320 km (two formation laps (one exiting pit road to the start line, and one before the race start) + 305km race + cool down lap) and 75 litres, and a 1 litre mandate at the end of the race, cars effectively are required to run 11 MPG or use 73 litres. That’s twice as efficient as an Indy car on a natural terrain road course. They’re running 19 gallons of fuel for 200 miles total in a race day when the tanks can carry 19.5 gallons, they can only use 19.
That’s for 200 miles they use 19 gallons. INDYCAR has 18.5 gallons of alcohol fuel and you need about 70 gallons for its longest natural terrain race. For a 400 mile oval race such as Nashville, you need four stops (five full tanks, about 100 gallons allowed). For a 500 mile race they have five stops (about 125 gallons of fuel required).
So, not knowing anything about F-1 except that I watched the movie—I tuned into the F-1 Series on Apple TV for the 2025 season. It was 8 episodes and highlighted all the drivers, drama and races...So it was a primer for me.
Now I got hooked. Frankly, I am sort of Kimi fan only because he is such a young pup out there in his now second season for Mercedes. I am no fan of particular racing team itself but it is looking like Mercedes is having a great start in the early part of the season. McLaren was the It Girl last year so we will see what happends this year. And then there is Max Verstappen...as well as Lewis Hamilton, now with Ferrari.
Will be tuning in tonight at 7 (west coast time) tonight. for a night of practice and fun. Go Speed Racer, Go! 🏎️
Japan? Folmura 1
For reference, this is the Full Car circuit. There is an East, West Car, West Motorcycle, and also Full Motorcycle. Motorcycle involves a chicane at 200R (after the Hairpin but before the Spoon).
Turn names: First, Second, Esses, Dunlop, Degner, Hairpin, 200R, Spoon, 85R, 340R (fka 130R, the double apex was made in 2003 allegedly for safety after McNish’s crash but Kato was killed in MotoGP there and marshals did a poor job of tending to the rider), Chicane.
Free Practice 1:
The top four are Mercedes powered.
Driver Time/Delta Laps Run
RUS 1:31.66x 27
ANT +.025 26
NOR +.132 20
PIA +.199 23
LEC +.289 25
HAM +.374 23
VER +.791 27
LAW +.863 27
OCO +.935 23
LIN +.999 29
BOR +1.093 27
HUL +1.132 26
HAD +1.137 27
BEA +1.234 27
GAS +1.312 25
COL +1.695 24
SAI +1.717 26
ALB +2.031 22
PER +2.555 18
BOT +2.824 24
STR +3.628 22
CRA +4.696 11
Free Practice 2:
The AMG works Mercedes are the meat in a McLaren sandwich. But only one McLaren start in four attempts this year. Can both take the lights Sunday?
FP2 Results:
PIA 1:30.133 29
ANT +.092 28
RUS +.205 29
NOR +.516 16A
LEC +.713 28
HAM +.847s 27
HUL +1.308 27
ALB +1.363 30
BEA +1.365 28
VER +1.376 29
OCO +.399 30
LAW +1.457 31
SAI +1.475 30
GAS +1.601 29
HAD +1.626 29
BOR +1.800 11
COL +2.305 28
BOT +2.482 28
ALO +3.463 24
PER +3.556 14
STR +3.818 21
LIN No Time 1
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