Formula 1 kicks off its early triple-header in Suzuka, with the second Japanese Grand Prix in succession to be held earlier in the season. Motorsport Week has all the big topics for what promises to be another dramatic race weekend.
After two weeks off, F1 remains in Asia for its annual visit to Japan, and with it, the sport brings new driver changes, teams and drivers with points to prove and the outright leaders hoping to maintain its advantage.
How will Tsunoda fare at Red Bull?
The big talking point is that home favourite Yuki Tsunoda makes his own long-awaited debut for Red Bull.
From waiting in the wings to being given his wings, Tsunoda takes the place of Liam Lawson, who has swapped places and has the opportunity to bring the team vital Constructors’ points.
Tsunoda is already appearing to be talking-up his chances, saying his initial simulator runs for the RB21 were “not challenging” and the team’s advisor Helmut Marko claiming he had overheard him say he is “expecting a podium finish”.
READ MORE – Yuki Tsunoda embracing Red Bull pressure amid bold target for F1 Japanese GP
It might be a nervous moment for Tsunoda as well as his fans after a long time of waiting and at a point where Red Bull is not as competitive as it has been over the last few years.
But Tsunoda’s confidence seems high, and with good reason after an impressive run of form in the first two Grands Prix with Racing Bulls. Can he translate it into the organisation’s main team?
Can Lawson regain his confidence at Racing Bulls
The victim in the situation has been Lawson, who, after two torrid weekends being vastly inferior to Max Verstappen, is out and back at his original home.
The Kiwi is being afforded a car which Marko claimed is “easier to drive” than the RB21, and the family environment of the team should also help him recover from what must have been a very shaking time.
There is no doubt in Lawson’s capabilities as a driver, and Suzuka provides a good place to start from a clean slate.
Having driven the circuit before for the team – then AlphaTauri – in 2023 and the Japanese Super Formula competition, Lawson should feel some confidence given the VCARB-02’s current form, which has only seen a lack of points through strategic error, rather than lack of speed.
His first task must surely be to at the very least match the pace of rookie team-mate Isack Hadjar, and then make good on the team’s progress to rejuvenate his own F1 career.
Will McLaren maintain its F1 advantage?
McLaren is undoubtedly living up to its pre-season hype of being the favourites for the F1 championships.
Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri have a win each, and both look on top of their game, being backed by a car that is by far the most competitive across all areas.
Sunday morning appears to be rainy but is due to be dry and sunny come the start of the race. The change of weather may be the only thing that halts the papaya progress, with both Verstappen and George Russell performing consistently behind them.
Can Red Bull make its last Japanese race with Honda power a success?
It is the final season Red Bull is using Honda engines – rebadged and developed under its own powertrain unit – before the Japanese brand makes a full return to F1 next year with Aston Martin.
Speaking to media including Motorsport Week at Suzuka, Verstappen – who won his second title in 2022 at the circuit – paid tribute to Honda, saying the relationship between them and the team “has been incredible,” adding: “We [Red Bull] started coming back into Formula 1, but they [Honda] made it work.
“We won races, we won championships. Honestly, it’s definitely something that I’m very proud of, that I’ve been able to share all these great moments with Honda.”
READ MORE – Red Bull revives white livery in tribute to Honda for F1 Japanese GP
Verstappen and the team will be hoping for a successful weekend amid the team’s tricky start to the year, but the high-speed circuit is likely to suit the car better, and with the commemorative Honda livery adorning it this weekend, the stage is set for a perfect farewell.
Can Ferrari make amends for F1 disqualification disappointment?
China started brilliantly for Ferrari, with Lewis Hamilton taking victory in the Sprint, but the Grand Prix proved to be a cataclysmic one.
After Hamilton and team-mate Charles Leclerc got too close at the start, the Monegasque suffered some damage, and despite being quicker, the pair laboured to fifth and sixth places respectively.
Their misery was compounded by a swift double-disqualification, leaving them to return to Maranello thoroughly dejected.
There is no doubt that Hamilton is still getting to grips with the new team of people around him, but is coping well, and both he and Leclerc can’t show their true potential with the car not living up to pre-season billing as perhaps the second-fastest car.
The team will be hoping for a boost to help give its year a proper start and allow both its drivers to maximise their talents.
Can Sainz combat his Williams struggles?
It has been an underwhelming start to Carlos Sainz’s Williams career.
The Spaniard has struggled to match the pace of his team-mate Alex Albon, who has the benefit of three F1 seasons with the Grove-based squad.
Speaking to media, including Motorsport Week, Sainz suggested his “habits” in his driving, caused by driving for Ferrari for the last four seasons, are partly the cause.
“I was used to a certain type of car in Ferrari, which made me end up driving, especially since 2022, in a very specific way, to extract everything about that car,” he said.
“And you fall into, let’s say, habits in your driving, that then you apply to the next car.
“It might work in some corners, but in others it makes you very weak. And that’s probably a bit of it.”
Given that he believes he can reach his best in “less than half a year,” it might be unwise to think he could be back to his best and firmly helping Williams in its midfield battle, but a driver of his quality can not be underestimated, and the excitement of Suzuka might prove the tonic he needs to find a good performance and result.
READ MORE – Oscar Piastri defends Liam Lawson after Red Bull F1 demotion
