Japanese GP thread - contains spoilers as usual

[Fernando]

First topic message reminder :

Abuse won't be tolerated

The driver's title might be closer than ever, but all eyes will be on Max Verstappen who takes to the track on Friday...

Suzuka is an old-school narrow F1 circuit with corners that bite. The famous 130R may have been emasculated with a tarmac run-off and is no longer the threat it was when Three-Times-Le-mans-Winner Allan McNish bent his Toyota round it, but there is still the very tricky 'Spoon' and the two corners that can end free practice early for unwary drivers, Degner 1 and Degner 2.

The big headline coming into the GP weekend is the arrival in F1 of (just) 17-year-old Max Verstappen to take part in FP1 on Friday for Toro Rosso: "I have actually been to Suzuka before, to take part in a go-kart race on the track that is located next to the main circuit's back straight. My dad has raced at Suzuka many times and he told me it's not an easy track to start on. For me it will be a very valuable experience, spending some time in the car and also getting used to working with everyone in the team, to prepare myself for next year. I am not going there to break any records, I just want to gain experience."

Given that neither Daniil Kvyat or Max Verstappen have driven at Suzuka before and are both relying on their simulator experience, it will be very interesting to see how they perform against each other. Ahead of their 2015 season together.

The weather on Friday could be warm and wet making Max's debut even harder than expected. Nearby Nagoya is forecast to get rain on Friday, for it to stay dry on Saturday, but Sunday the area is due to have showers all day. That should make the race interesting.
Pirelli's Paul Hembery says that the track is a real work-out for the tyres, especially through the fast Esses early in the lap. "Suzuka is a real drivers' circuit, and because of that it is a considerable challenge for the tyres, with some of the biggest lateral energy loads of the year. As a result, it would probably be realistic to look at between two to three pit-stops. It's a track where several forces are often acting on the tyre at once, and the increased torque but decreased downforce of this year's cars will only place more demands on mechanical grip."

Like so many of the drivers; Jenson Button, Valtteri Bottas and Daniel Ricciardo love Suzuka. Dan: "It's all good, but for me the first sector is just a delight. It's a dream. You have those fast changes of directions through the Esses, hard around the Dunlop Curve and then, arguably the best bit, turns Eight and Nine: Degner. Through Eight you're hanging on, it's so narrow and there's no room for error but you want to push as hard as you can. Then just as you straighten up the car, you're on the brakes, throwing it into this cambered right-hander and hoping you've got it right because if you haven't then it's all over. Getting to do that 53 times in a row is a pretty good way to earn a living."
Williams are bringing an updated aerodynamic package for this weekend's Japanese GP at Suzuka, and trackside engineering chief Rob Smedley reckons this, coupled with his team's improving ability to sort out set-up problems, means they can stay ahead of close rivals Ferrari. "We're really, really getting on top of tyre management now. And we're going to tracks that have a much bigger power effect (than Singapore), much bigger drag sensitivity, so we're really, really optimistic."

Lewis Hamilton is another big Suzuka fan: "It's one of the races on the calendar that drivers love the most - and arguably one of the greatest tracks in the world. There's so much history and there have been so many defining moments there - like those unforgettable battles between Ayrton Senna and Alain Prost. I've never won at this circuit and have only made the podium once, on my first visit way back in 2009. I've had a couple of chances and last season was probably the best of those. This year, though, we have an exceptional car and I'm really hoping I'll finally have my shot at the top step. All the greats of Formula One have won at Suzuka since the sport first came."

With a high-profile Japanese girlfriend, Jenson Button gets a lot of support in Japan. He won in 2011, but is worried about the performance of his car at the Honda-owned track: "I think circuits that have a high-speed nature but not a big change of direction will be fine, like Brazil - but Suzuka could be tricky for us. In gradual high-speed corners we are reasonably good, but on corners with a sharp turn-in we are nowhere." So, one person not particularly looking forward to the Esses.

But the biggest question of all is: Will Kamui Kobayashi get to drive at his home Grand Prix? Caterham had still not announced their plans at the time of writing. The team are introducing a new front wing that Marcus Ericsson will be running, but who will be in the second car?

[Fernando]

Apparently Sutil has said that Bianchi hit the JCB side on.

[Fernando]

FIA Update - Jules Bianchi is Unconscious and is off to the hospital + Police Escort as the Helicopter can't fly.

[Hulking_up]

Absolute sods law that the one time in god knows how long the helicopter is needed it can't fly.

[CaledonianCraig]

Seems Vettel has finished third overall and Ricciardo finished 17th. Good result for Vettel - all celebrations very low key. Worrying times.

How on your first point?

Sorry?

[mystiroakey]

How did Riccardo finish 17th

[CaledonianCraig]

Oh right was going by Sky F1 that were saying Ricciardo was down on 17th on screens but apparently was 4th with Vettel 3rd. Both Red Bulls putting in a strong showing today.

Bianchi's crash sounds horrifying in crashing into the JCB side-on according to Sutil who had just got out of his crashed car at that corner.

[Guest]

Worrying for Jules, similar to that woman test driver Maria de vilotta who hit a truck.

As for the race, some great action. Maybe biased, but if Lewis doesn't win this championship it would be a travesty in my opinion. Eight wins now for Lewis, showed his class today.

[Fernando]

I would post the picture from Twitter but im not sure it's right to. It honestly looks like it's been crushed by the counter balance part on the truck and that's all solid.

[CaledonianCraig]

I would post the picture from Twitter but im not sure it's right to. It honestly looks like it's been crushed by the counter balance part on the truck and that's all solid.

It was odd as cameras never picked it up but you knew something serious had happened as a marshall ran out waving his arms furiously probably after the accident. Not looking good I have to say.

[mystiroakey]

Does anyone know if the incident happened before the yellow or after?

[Fernando]

Id presume after if the truck was out Mysti.

[CaledonianCraig]

I'd say definitely after the yellow flags. Sutil's car was being recovered with yellows being waved then presumably Bianchi crashed into safety track.

Now confirmed by Sutil.

[mystiroakey]

I would assume it as well. But either way the safety wasn't out in time. That seems to be what will take the blame.

[Fernando]

So they chose to use the Ambulance over the Helicopter.

[CaledonianCraig]

I would assume it as well. But either way the safety wasn't out in time. That seems to be what will take the blame.

There is plenty to blame such as race sponsors not bowing to requests to start the race earlier and the race being stopped after two laps when carrying on behind the safety car would have made far more sense and would have meant the race would have finished in drier and brighter conditions which may have prevented this accident and also why did safety car (at restart) stay out so long as that as well unnecessarily dragged the race length (time-wise) on.

[CaledonianCraig]

One thing that is weird is that the Marussia was completely out of view of the cameras at all times. Is it possible it slid through the under-carriage of JCB and out of sight or did it hit the back of the JCB and spin-out of sight?

[Fernando]

I think this picture says everything Craig (it's not a pretty sight)

Look at your own risk:

[mystiroakey]

At the end of the day. I suppose out of respect we need to first understand Biancis situation.

But something will be learnt.  Overhead cranes everywhere or over prudent use of safety cars will come as a result .
For me the weather was immaterial . this type of situation could happen in perfect conditions. Yes more likely in rain and poor visibility . but the measures still need to be looked at in all conditions.

[Hulking_up]

[CaledonianCraig]

That looks very nasty.

[Hulking_up]

This one shows just how bad the crash was.
Nothing graphic but i spoiled it none the less.

Spoiler:

[mystiroakey]

I can't really see much from any of those pics. But I am fearing the worst due to the way he was taken to the hospital and the lack of any information.

[CaledonianCraig]

I can't really see much from any of those pics. But I am fearing the worst due to the way he was taken to the hospital and the lack of any information.

Yes I agree. Chaotic scamble at the medical centre at the track by all accounts and the lack of info is worrying.

[Guest]

Apparently, Jules' father has said he had a head injury & has been operated on & is now 'critical'.

Cmon Jules

[Fernando]

FIA have confirmed that he's having emergency surgery on a "Severe head injury"

[sikhlion]

I've always thought it was a little dangerous having those huge tractors on track whilst the F1 cars are going around, I guess at even yellow flag speeds they're going pretty fast, I guess 9 times out of 10 in the dry it's safe enough to use them to retrieve cars but in wet often cars do aquaplane off in similar places. It's unusual these days to see severe injuries in F1, hopefully he will have a good recovery.

[GSC]

If he collided head on with the tractor as those photos indicate its hard to see him walking away. Pulling for him though

[CaledonianCraig]

Surgery is over but no more details as yet. Apparently, he has a number of drivers and Ferrari officials now keeping vigil at the hospital. No updates on his condition though other than surgery to treat a severe head injury has been completed.

[Hulking_up]

I'm watching the BBC repeat and the race has now been stopped and Coulthard/other guy haven't realised that Bianchi was in a crash.
BBC used to be so good with F1.

[CaledonianCraig]

I'm watching the BBC repeat and the race has now been stopped and Coulthard/other guy haven't realised that Bianchi was in a crash.
BBC used to be so good with F1.

To be fair though SkyF1 never realised Bianchi was involved in the crash for sometime either. They were fearing that a marshall had been hit for some time. It was a crash that was out of view of the cameras and the Marussia ended up out of sight afterwards making it all the more difficult to link Bianchi to the crash.

[Hulking_up]

Sky knew before the red flag. BBC didn't mention Bianchi until the drivers were walking about in the pit lane.

[CaledonianCraig]

Sky knew before the red flag. BBC didn't mention Bianchi until the drivers were walking about in the pit lane.

Well I can't confirm that to be the case as I didn't watch BBC's live coverage (just the highlights) so they may have mentioned before that point and it was edited out.

[CaledonianCraig]

The BBC are now reporting that Bianchi is out of surgery and breathing on his own. If that is the case then that is very good news.

[GSC]

Not sure what those helmets are made of, but I want one

[CaledonianCraig]

I must add that BBC report is unconfirmed by sources close to F1 or Bianchi but at least it offers more hope.

[Guest]

Great news about breathing unaided, if true. Hope he recovers from this & it's not a career ending injury.

As for the race, not discussed that much for obvious reasons but Hamilton was again mightily impressive. That's eight wins, three on the bounce, Nico has no answer to Lewis' pace & now Hamilton's bad luck has deserted him, he looks pretty unbeatable. Nico not having the radio to help him solve his understeer issue was also telling, whereas Hamilton the natural racer would just drive it, regardless of issues. Not sure Rosberg deserves this title, hasn't imposed himself enough for me, only won four races in a dominant car. I just hope speed wins out, instead of the calculated, consistent approach in determining the new champion.

[Fernando]

Currently their is unconfirmed reports that Jules has suffered a bleed on the brain and has been put into a coma until operated on.

Id hope that isn't true but the way things have gone today it wouldn't surprise me.

[mystiroakey]

That's something at least.. He will have the best docs around him.

Fingers crossed for him.

[kwinigolfer]

A bad day for the F1 community.
I see the BBC is reporting Andrea DeCesaris was killed in a motor bike accident.

[CaledonianCraig]

It would now seem that Bianchi is NOT breathing by himself as was claimed originally by French media sources and picked up on by the BBC. He remains critical and remains in intensive care.

Fingers crossed this ends happily.

[dyrewolfe]

Only just read about Bianchi's crash on the BBC website - nothing mentioned about it on the afternoon re-run (almost no pre or post-race chat come to that).

Wish him a full and swift recovery. Incredibly unlucky to go off at the same part of the track while they were recovering Sutil's car.


Other than that, it was a strange (but eventful) race. Good contest between Rosberg and Hamilton. Red Bulls looked very good in wet conditions, while Williams struggled. Rotten luck for Alonso with that total electrical failure during the 1st SC period.

Another good race for Button - shame wet races are something of a rarity, otherwise he might be worth keeping on.

[Guest]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ASnqrbMtnos

Here is the latest video of the crash. Go to about 1 minute in & then watch. Incredible really, If he'd hit basically a second later, I'd imagine it would of been a straight hit into the reversing recovery truck & we would of been looking at a instant fatality. Those marshals were also very lucky.

[GSC]

Guess it must've been a glancing blow. Lucky f1 cars aren't a bit higher

[Guest]

Video been taken down now.

What's everyone's thoughts on SC usage. I see Jacques Villeneuve calling for SC to be used, like in the US, for every single incident. I know this was a severe incident but I think copying the US style of SC usage would turn fans away from the sport. Stop/Start Motorsport is awful & ruins the spectacle.

[Fernando]

SC was out too long at the beginning that's the only issue i saw tbh.

What's to say that accident doesn't happen under the SC we all saw Ericcson spin his Caterham.

Only issue that's need resolving is use of cranes and not the JCB trucks.

[Guest]

Video been taken down now.

http://vimeo.com/108126307

[sikhlion]

That crash was horrific...... Just watched that link im not surprised he was so badly hurt. If he had hit the wheel of the truck he would have been okay, maybe they need to look at designing the trucks/cranes in a way that f1 cars can't go underneath

[liverbnz]

Just seen that video. Christ, he lifts the the digger into the air! He was also carrying an awful lot of speed into the corner judging by the velocity he hits the digger. FIA are now investigating along with Marussia.

Hopefully he makes a full recovery.

[Marky]

Maybe make the crane wheels so big a F1 car CAN go underneath, without coming into contact I mean.

Saw the crash, nasty.

[CaledonianCraig]

Watching that video I noticed that green flags were being waved. Nasty crash and it is no wonder he suffered severe head injuries.

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