From the fast paced action at the sun-drenched street circuit Down Under in Australia, the Formula 1 circus has arrived to enthral one and all at Suzuka, one of the last old school proper racing venues left on the calendar.
But was there any surprise at the conclusion of the 2024 Japanese Grand Prix, it ought to be asked?
Never seeming in any spot of bother, whatsoever, and never looking like being beaten by anyone on the grid, Max Verstappen took yet another pole position of his checkered Formula 1 career to give early advantage to Red Bull by acing qualifying at the 2024 Japanese Grand Prix.
Mad Max assault at Suzuka
Source– F1.com
Fastest in Q2 before the final qualifying run and eventually rapid in Q3, Max Verstappen’s Red Bull #1 emerged the class of the field for the 2024 Japanese Grand Prix qualifying.
In being far ahead than anyone else at Suzuka on a windy Saturday, Max Verstappen set a belter of a lap at 1:28:197, an effort that saw the Dutchman clinch pole position ahead of teammate, Sergio Perez by six one-hundredths of a second.
So far ahead over the rest of the pack and so out in front was he in the process of getting his fourth pole of the season and his third on the bounce here at Suzuka that Verstappen didn’t even set a rollicking final sector of the track. And even then emerged the fastest man on the grid.
His 36th career pole must surely transpire into another race win for the Flying Dutchman. But whether that happens in the next 53 laps is something that only time would tell.
However, the only competition, if any, that Max Verstappen would receive would come thanks to Sergio Perez who seems to have rekindled his form somewhat after missing out on the podium in F1’s most recent Grand Prix at Australia.
The Mexican who can get it done
Source– F1.com
Perez, about whom it could be said is battling to retain his Red Bull seat, was far quicker than any of the Ferrari drivers as well as the two Mercedes machines and ensures a front row lockout for Red Bull at Japan.
With two podiums already to his name this season and great chances of bagging a hat-trick of top three finishes, the Mexican would certainly like to bolster his chances of dominating by driving a race to remember on Sunday.
That he’s breathing hot on the tail of the track leading Red Bull shall offer more confidence to one of the sport’s most under appreciated talents.
Lando on the podium soon?
But also one who could do his own luck a world of good by adding more consistency to his race performances! Having said that, Perez must watch out for third on the grid is a certain Lando Norris; the Briton would derive confidence from the fact that last when he came racing here at Suzuka, he ended up on the podium.
With a car that is being driven to the limit by a very talented racer, the likes of Ferrari and Mercedes who were found struggling for raw pace could well mean that McLaren may well have their nose ahead of close rivals when the main battle draws out.
But will that also mean that Formula 1’s most recent race winner, Carlos Sainz can be kept quiet?
Challenge for Sainz?
Emerging the best of the field outside the top three, the in-form Spanish driver from Madrid will look for something to work in his favour, maybe even an opening lap overtake on good friend and close pal, Lando Norris as Ferrari will keenly contest round four of the FIA Formula 1 world championship 2024.
But it’s one thing to be quick on race day and something quite different to keep a constantly pursuing Fernando Alonso quiet; the Spanish Matador, popularly also hailed as the Samurai of racing begins his contest from fifth on the grid, just head of Oscar Piastri in the other McLaren. Down in seventh, eighth and ninth is the exciting troika of Hamilton, Leclerc and Russell (in that order) that’ll be closely involved in a keen and hopefully wheel-to-wheel tussle for track supremacy at Suzuka.
Leclerc, much like Hamilton, who is a five-time winner at Japan, admitting his confusion and frustration over team radio at having not quite done enough to put together a cracker of a lap time.
Local hero doesn’t disappoint!
Meanwhile, local hero Yuki Tsunoda shall hope to mount a serious challenge at the forthcoming Japanese Grand Prix putting his car tenth on the grid at the end of a closely fought Q3, in the process of which he dethroned his own teammate, the under fire but supremely talented Daniel Ricciardo. The Australian, who’s apparently trying everything possible to safeguard his F1 future shall begin the Japanese GP from eleventh.
All eyes on Max Verstappen
Having said that there’s no doubt about the fact that out in the front, it’ll be Max Verstappen who’ll look to open a formidable gap over his pursuers after attempting to make what could be yet another smashing but clean start to the race weekend. But will a win transpire in the end? For that and more watch out for the soon-to-begin Japanese Grand Prix of 2024.