The tyres appeared to hold up well in practice so I would say qualifying is
important to get good track position, then it’s a matter of keeping the car
on the track. There are overtaking opportunities. Fernando Alonso famously
passed Michael Schumacher around the outside of 130R back in 2005. For the
less audacious Casio triangle is the best place for overtaking – and also
for crashing.
Other talking points
The Suzuka paddock has been rocked by the news of
Maria de Villota’s death and rightly so. Formula One is a
close-knit community and although she was only fleetingly part of it, Maria
left a deep impression, particularly in the way she came back from her
accident. It is a real tragedy.
The major talking point earlier in the week concerned the dominance of Vettel
and Red Bull and whether it was as “sleep-inducing” as Lewis
Hamilton claimed it was. I think it was another classic example of Lewis
speaking while in an emotional state. It harms the sport as people take his
words as fact. Two of the last four seasons have gone down to the wire.
Race details:
Suzuka
- Laps 53
- Circuit Length 5.807km
- 2012 winner S Vettel (Red Bull)
Weather
- Saturday Sun 26C
- Sunday Sun 24C
- Qualifying Saturday 6am
- Race Sunday 7am
Television
- Qualifying live on Sky Sports F1 from 5am, highlights on BBC ONE,
3.20pm - Race live on Sky Sports F1 from 5.30am, live on BBC ONE, 6am