please log in to view this image Smash please log in to view this image Bang please log in to view this image Wallop please log in to view this image What will the start bring us this year since thats the only party which is vaguely unpredictable (until the 2nd corner that is). JAPANESE GRAND PRIX, DAY ONE Friday 11 October : First practice at 01:50 BST (BBC Two) & 01:55 (BBC Radio 5 live sports extra), plus live text commentary online. Second practice at 05:55 on BBC Two & BBC Radio 5 live sports extra, plus live text commentary online JAPANESE GRAND PRIX, DAY TWO Saturday 12 October : Third practice at 02:55 BST on BBC Two & BBC Radio 5 live sports extra, plus live text commentary online. Qualifying at 05:00 BST (BBC One) & 05:55 (BBC Radio 5 live sports extra), plus live text commentary online JAPANESE GRAND PRIX, DAY THREE Sunday 13 October : Race coverage at 06:00 BST (BBC One) & 06:55 (BBC Radio 5 live), plus live text commentary online. F1 Forum: 09:15 on BBC Red Button. Highlights: 19:00 on BBC Three & BBC Red Button CIRCUIT DATA SUZUKA CIRCUIT Length of lap: 5.807km Lap record: 1:31.540 (Kimi Räikkönen, McLaren, 2005) Start/finish line offset: 0.300km Total number of race laps: 53 Total race distance: 307.471km Pitlane speed limits: 80km/h throughout the weekend. CHANGES TO THE CIRCUIT SINCE 2012 ► The artificial grass around the outside of Turn One now starts approximately 50m earlier, replacing a damaged verge. ► The verge on the left in Turn 10 has been levelled and taken up to the tyre barrier and wall, which have also been raised. ► A new debris fence has been installed on the left between Turns Nine and 10. ► A new opening has been provided on the left in Turn 11. This allows a gravel recovery vehicle to be positioned there instead of a large crane. ► The verge on the right approaching Turn 13 has been laid with a one-metre wide strip of artificial grass, replacing a verge prone to erosion. ► The last part of the tyre barrier around the outside of Turn 14 has been extended right, to the end of the guardrail. DRS ZONES ► The DRS zone at Suzuka is on the start-finish straight. The detection point is 50m before Turn 16, with activation 100m before the control line. Past Winners 2012 - Vettel 2011 - Button 2010 - Vettel 2009 - Vettel PREDICTION LEAGUE: x8 tomcat606 x7 miggins x6 RoadRunner x5 x4 diresta is faster than u maxwhiplash Paco Montoya TomTom94 v2.4 (beta) zer0 x3 BrightLampShade El_Bando jonnybaws julius Caesar The Iceman di fredsta <[O__o]> thistle21 westcoastboogaloo x2 Forza Bianchi allsaintschris DHCanary justjazz stephen licorish x1 leucadendron54 AbsolutelyGlorious sportydan drudeboy happyal jackjeffries schneiderlin is the goal king marklarmergerbilfarmer pit lane charlie smithers Ajay Fernando I'm Batman smhbcfc StoneRosesRam
Mercs were quickest in the fast and twisty Sector 2 at Korea, therefore they should go well here too.. However, still can't see anything other than another "comfortable" Vettel win.. #bored #butneverboo
I voted Alonso. Not that I expect anyone to challenge Vettel, but I think Ferrari will be a lot stronger here and if anyone can take advantage of a Vettel/Red Bull mistake, it's Alonso.
Voted for Kimi, only 4 seconds away from Vettel at the end of the race in Korea. The Lotus' were pretty much keeping up with Vettel, and had Kimi had a better qualifying, he wouldn't have wasted time climbing up the field. Apart from the straights, Suzuka is similar to the Yeongam track, so I expect Lotus to be up there, unless it rains of course
Hamilton because im so damn hopeful, another dominant win by "The Finger" and i may not bother with the rest of the season regardless of where Alson finishes. I seriously hope next year levels the playing field but who bloody knows with the genius that is Newey!
The only realistic thing I want from the last five races is a Grosjean win. I can't really see past Vettel but Grosjean's in good form and he outqualified Raikkonen here last year.
Would absolutely love a Grosjean win. He's been very quick second half of the season and I don't think he deserves to be as far behind Kimi as he is. Definitely done a better job than Massa
The track is a red bull stronghold, Vettel's won this race about 11 billion times already, so i can see him adding to that. Nothing against the guy, but can he please let someone else win?
I think when Vettel wins the championship he should start from the back each week (Brundle bring this up this weekend!)
Personally, I'd take a Hulk podium over a Grosjean win but either driver deserves a result. The idea of them as team mates next season is even more exciting though.
I just want Hulkenberg to keep getting putting in performances like he did in Korea, so that he makes it impossible for Lotus and other teams to igonore him despite a lack of sponsorship/'weight' issues. (Never thought I would refer to someone who is 74kg as having weight issues).
after losing 20+ kg this year to hit just under 74kg (BMI 22.09) I'm a bit distraut to be considered to have a weight problem
