At Suzuka the groups could have C1 as P Zero White arduous, C2 as P Zero Yellow medium and C3 as P Zero Pink smooth.
The Japanese Grand Prix might spring a couple of surprises because of the excessive temperatures recorded final week, with highs of as much as 33 levels centigrade. If this continues, tyre degradation might grow to be an essential issue.
Climate circumstances have usually closely influenced the Japanese Grand Prix. On 4 events (2004, 2009, 2010, and 2019) qualifying has been held on Sunday morning as a result of torrential rain or the specter of a storm.
In 2022, the race was interrupted as a result of rain on the primary lap. The restart occurred three hours later, with solely 45 minutes to go because of the most allowed race period (4 hours). In complete, 28 laps have been accomplished, with the drivers utilizing solely Cinturato intermediate and Full Moist tyres.
The asphalt at Suzuka options a number of the highest ranges of roughness and abrasion seen all season. Put on and degradation are essential components in figuring out the run plan totally free apply, in addition to race technique.
There have been 36 editions of the Japanese Grand Prix legitimate for the F1 World Championship: 32 of them hosted at Suzuka – Honda’s house circuit – and 4 at Fuji, which belongs to Toyota. Essentially the most victorious crew is McLaren, with 9 wins, whereas the motive force who has received essentially the most instances is Michael Schumacher (six wins). In 1994 and 1995, the Pacific Grand Prix was additionally held in Japan, on the Aida circuit.
The Japanese Grand Prix has topped a brand new world champion 11 instances: most just lately final yr, when Max Verstappen received his second world title. In 1995, Michael Schumacher additionally turned world champion for the second time after profitable the Pacific Grand Prix.
Mario Isola: “The Japanese Grand Prix takes place on some of the fascinating and demanding tracks in Components 1 historical past: Suzuka, with its distinctive determine of eight format. This historic venue is a drivers’ favorite, being completely thrilling to drive in right this moment’s ultra-competitive single-seaters. With its very important lateral and vertical hundreds, Suzuka is as demanding on tyres as it’s on drivers. These calls for are equally distributed throughout all 4 wheels, with 10 right-handers and eight left-handers all through the six-kilometre lap.
“Because of these difficult traits, we carry a number of the hardest tyres within the 2023 vary to Japan: C1, C2, and C3. That is solely nominally the identical as final yr’s choice on account of the brand new C1 compound, which was launched this season to fit in between the C2 and former C1 (now known as C0). On Friday, all of the groups will get the prospect to check a brand new model of the C2 compound, with a view to homologating it for subsequent season. This newest evolution ought to present extra grip than the present C2, and so match in additional coherently between the C1 and C3.
“For the primary two free apply periods, every driver could have two further units of tyres, in comparison with the same old 13 units per weekend. This take a look at is a part of a improvement programme that was just lately outlined for 2024 and can proceed with a brand new C4 compound to be examined on monitor through the Mexican Grand Prix weekend.”
