One of F1's great circuits where top drivers can let rip: best of Suzuka

Last week we pondered how much the Singapore GP was missed during the two Covid-affected seasons of 2020 and ’21. There’s no need to ponder when it comes to Suzuka. Its return last year was rightly heralded and recognised among the key and welcome signs that our world was finally righting itself after the turbulence of the pandemic.

Although as is common in Japan at this time of year the weather put a dampener on the occasion. The shift next year for Suzuka to host the fourth race of the F1 season on April 7 is not before time, strange as it will feel for F1 regulars to travel there so early in the year.

Turning to this weekend, there’s much to anticipate: how Max Verstappen and Red Bull perform and respond following their anticlimactic Singapore defeat; whether Ferrari can maintain its new-found momentum; how George Russell bounces back following his last-lap heartbreak in Marina Bay; and then there’s Lewis Hamilton, a five-time winner of the Japanese GP who should never be discounted at Suzuka, especially if it rains — although forecasts seem to suggest we might be in for a drier one this time. Let’s see on that.

In the meantime, let’s remind ourselves of recent Japanese GPs and pull a few lessons to keep in mind as we dive into another glorious Suzuka weekend.

2022: Verstappen’s masterclass

The consensus is Singapore was probably little more than a blip for Red Bull, and on the face of it normal service should be resumed at Suzuka. We only need to consider the events of 12 months ago to be reminded how Verstappen shines on the best, most challenging tracks. His victory in the 2022 Japanese GP was among the finest of his career so far.

The weather was appalling and perhaps sealed the decision to move the race to its new spring date. Following an aborted start a long delay left us wondering if the big anticipated return would become a complete washout. As it turned out, after an interminable delay, the 2022 Japanese GP did play out, memorably, albeit over a total of just 28 laps. How Verstappen led home team-mate Sergio Perez by 27 seconds, after timing his switch to intermediates to perfection, was a devastating display of his dominance that also confirmed him as a two-time world champion after Charles Leclerc’s chicane cut on the last lap earned the Ferrari driver a penalty.

The best drivers always relish the inviting canvas provided by the greatest circuits to fully express themselves. That was Verstappen at Suzuka in 2022. The disappointment of Singapore will only fuel him to find his best once again this time around.

2019: The best of Bottas

Four years ago, in simpler pre-Covid times, Valtteri Bottas put in one of those occasional displays that made us wonder what sort of world champion he could have been if he could have managed such form every week. In that respect there are parallels to David Coulthard. Now at Sauber-Alfa Romeo and seemingly at peace with his place in the F1 world, we can’t expect too much from the Finn – but a pleasing little cameo is never out of the question for a man who has embraced the full power of a good moustache and mullet combination.

Back in 2019, Typhoon Hagibis played havoc and led to a Sunday morning qualifying session where Sebastian Vettel claimed Ferrari’s fifth pole position in a row. But when he made a mess of the start, Bottas pounced and swept into the lead from third on the grid and went on to stroke his sixth F1 career win. But there’s a warning for Verstappen from this race.

Turns 1 and 2 are tight, Suzuka is narrow (especially compared to modern circuits) and it’s easy to get caught up in contretemps. On this occasion Charles Leclerc understeered into him and pushed the Red Bull into the gravel. Damage from the Ferrari then flew off and whipped off one of Lewis Hamilton’s wing mirrors, which was alarming.

Hamilton finished a frustrated third as Bottas, for a change, enjoyed the limelight. This was also the day Mercedes clinched its sixth consecutive constructors’ crown to equal Ferrari’s feat from 1999 to 2004. Given all that’s played out since, it seems like light-years ago.

2018: Hamilton’s high five

Might Hamilton have at least displaced Lando Norris from second in Singapore, had he been running ahead of team-mate George Russell instead of behind him in those thrilling closing stages? He certainly seemed to have more pace at that stage and his understated enthusiasm for third place afterwards suggested he might have been thinking about what might have been. Whatever, the seven-time champion’s performances this year underline why he remains motivated to race on with his beloved Mercedes team for at least another two years. Without the car advantage he enjoyed in 2018, we’re obviously seeing a different Hamilton today — but one who is no less engaging. Actually, we’re learning more about him now, as we always do when top drivers find themselves facing uncomfortable adversity.

Five years ago, life was a little simpler for him as he claimed his fifth Japanese GP victory — one behind Michael Schumacher’s record six — and fourth at Suzuka. This was his 71st career win, 50th for Mercedes and one that left him 67 points clear of Vettel in the 2018 championship. Vettel only finished sixth after early contact with Verstappen — him again — after a misjudged lunge at Spoon curve, having made up for his poor qualifying with a great start. Max survived to finish third despite earning a five-second penalty later on that opening lap after misjudging the first chicane and clobbering Kimi Räikkönen. So he has plenty of ‘previous’ at Suzuka, a place where mistakes and misjudgements are all too easily made, even by the best. Depending on Verstappen’s mindset and where he qualifies this weekend, fireworks are possible. That tends to be the way at Suzuka.