Welcome to the Japanese Grand Prix edition of F1 Newsbites. Let’s check out the latest news from the Formula 1 Paddock at Suzuka.

 

F1 and FIA closely watching Typhoon Hagibis ahead of Japanese GP

 

 

As Typhoon Hagibis heads towards Japan ahead of this weekend’s Formula 1 Japanese Grand Prix 2019 at Suzuka. Formula 1, the FIA, Suzuka International Racing Course officials and the Japanese Automobile Federation said they are closely monitoring the situation.

 

Current forecasts predict that Hagibis will reach the shores of Japan on Saturday when Free Practice Three and Qualifying are scheduled to take place.

 

The FIA said in the statement: “The FIA, Formula 1, Suzuka Circuit and the Japanese Automobile Federation are closely monitoring Typhoon Hagibis and its potential impact on the 2019 FIA Formula One Japanese Grand Prix.

 

Every effort is being made to minimise disruption to the Formula 1 timetable, however the safety of the fans, competitors and everyone at the Suzuka Circuit remains the top priority.

 

All parties will continue to monitor the situation and provide further updates in due course.” Credit to the FIA. https://www.fia.com/news/2019-fia-formula-one-japanese-grand-prix-statement-typhoon-hagibis

 

2019 Japanese GP Press Conference

 

 

You can read the full transcript of the Formula 1 Japanese Grand Prix 2019 Driver’s Press Conference right here at the link: https://www.fia.com/news/f1-2019-japanese-grand-prix-thursday-press-conference-transcript

 

F1 Team Principal’s Press Conference Line-up and Press Conference Schedule

 

FRIDAY, 11 OCTOBER, 1500 HOURS LOCAL TIME

• Frédéric Vasseur (Alfa Romeo Racing)
• Mattia Binotto (Scuderia Ferrari)
• Guenther Steiner (Haas F1 Team)
• Toyoharu Tanabe (Honda)
• Cyril Abiteboul (Renault F1 Team)

SATURDAY, 12 OCTOBER, POST-QUALIFYING

• Three fastest drivers from Qualifying

SUNDAY, 13 OCTOBER, POST-RACE

• First three finishing drivers

 

Yamamoto to take part in FP1 for Toro Rosso

 

 

Current Japanese Super Formula and Super GT Series driver Naoki Yamamoto (Honda supported driver) will drive for Scuderia Toro Rosso in tomorrow’s opening practice session at the Japanese Grand Prix.

 

Yamamoto is one of Japan’s top drivers and is the reigning Super Formula and Super GT Series Champion.

 

The Japanese driver will take place of regular Pierre Gasly, who will be back behind the wheel of his STR14 racer in Free Practice Two and for the rest of the Grand Prix weekend.

 

“First of all, I would like to thank Scuderia Toro Rosso, Red Bull and of course Honda for giving me this great opportunity,” explained Yamamoto. “I am delighted that I will get to drive a Formula 1 car this weekend, something which has been a dream of mine since I was a kid.”

 

“To get this chance at Suzuka, a very important circuit for all Japanese racing drivers, in front of such a big crowd of Japanese fans, will make the experience even more special. I have prepared as well as possible for this, spending time as part of the Toro Rosso team at several Grand Prix weekends and I have also worked in the Red Bull simulator.”

 

Yamamoto is looking forward to extracting the maximum at the home of Honda, in-front of the passionate Japanese fans and giving his best for the Faenza-based outfit.

 

“My main aim in FP1 will be to do a good job for the team, gathering data and information which will be useful for them over the weekend. On a personal note, I want to enjoy the experience of driving an F1 car as much as possible and I will be trying my very best to get the most out of it.”

 

“It will be a special moment and I’m glad I will get to share it with the fans at this amazing race track, where I first watched Formula 1 cars in action 27 years ago.” Yamamoto concluded.

 

You can read the full statements from Toro Rosso Team Principal Franz Tost and Honda Motor Company Brand and Communications Chief Officer Katsuhide Moriyama at the link: https://scuderiatororosso.redbull.com/en/yamamoto-fp1-japanese-gp/

 

Letting the Drivers tell the Story – Selected Driver Quotes

 

Red Bull turn towards engine supplier Honda’s home Grand Prix

 

 

Aston Martin Red Bull Racing return to Japan, for the first time with engine supplier Honda competing as one at the Japanese manufacturer’s home Grand Prix and in-front of the passionate Japanese fans. Drivers Max Verstappen and Alexander Albon take a look at this weekend’s Japanese GP.

 

Max Verstappen, #33, Aston Martin Red Bull Racing-Honda, RB15: “I’m really looking forward to going back to Suzuka as it’s a special place for me. I made my Formula One debut there in a practice session when I had just turned 17 and it’s a memory I’ll never forget. I’ve had a lot of good results at Suzuka with second and third place podiums but never a win, so obviously we would love to go one step higher. It’s a lot of fun to drive and I really enjoy it, but I also love Suzuka in general. The circuit is very historic and also very narrow and fast, so it’s important to use all of the track. You need to find the right balance and have a good flow between Turns 3, 4, 5 & 6 because if you take one corner wrong, you’re in the wrong position for the next sequence. Ferrari will be very strong as they have so much power and will be fast on the straights but our car will be quick in the corners so hopefully we can gain some time there. The Japanese fans are very passionate about the sport and it’s always great to see so many of them at the track supporting us, but this year’s Japanese Grand Prix will be even more special as we are with Honda for their home race. We’ve had some great results with Honda already this year and it won’t be easy at Suzuka but we will of course deliver the best performance possible for the Japanese fans.”

 

Alexander Albon, #23, Aston Martin Red Bull Racing-Honda, RB15: “I’m really excited as it’s going to be my first Japanese Grand Prix. I have raced at the track once before but only in karts, so I’m looking forward to seeing what it’s like in an F1 car. The main circuit looks really fun and it’s the track I’ve been looking forward to most this year. It’s obviously a big weekend for us as it’s Honda’s home race so we’re hoping for a good result for the fans. We were in Tokyo at the beginning of the year and already I could feel a lot of support from the locals. I remember hearing about how passionate the fans are but I still couldn’t believe the amount of people that we met and the gifts we received. Max said to me it was nothing compared to what we see and experience at the Grand Prix, so I’m getting my signing pens at the ready! Last time out in Russia, it was a good comeback from the pit lane to finish P5, but hopefully I can have a smoother weekend and a better starting position so I can fight towards the front.

 

Ferrari drivers preview the Japanese GP

 

 

After a race to forget for the Scuderia in Russia, Charles Leclerc and Sebastian Vettel preview this weekend’s Japanese Grand Prix at Suzuka.

 

Charles Leclerc, #16, Scuderia Ferrari, SF90: “Japan is a very special place for us to race, particularly because of the local fans. They are so passionate and always show us a lot of support, which makes the experience there so unique. It was a difficult weekend for me last year, being in Suzuka for the first time since Jules’ accident. Obviously, it is a very sad memory that I will always associate with this Grand Prix. The track itself is very technical and demanding. It is one of the best to drive on in terms of its layout. It features high speed straights mixed with various corner combinations and the hairpin, all of which make it the iconic circuit that it is. It has different characteristics to the last few tracks we have raced on, so we will see how our recent developments will work there, especially in terms of the aerodynamics.”

 

Sebastian Vettel, #5, Scuderia Ferrari, SF90: “Suzuka is probably my favourite circuit of the whole season. It is the only track in the championship that has a figure of eight layout and, in some ways, it reminds me of the sort of tracks we played on when I was a little kid.
Except that there’s nothing kid-like about this circuit, given that it features thrilling corners like 130R and that sequence of esses in the first sector. The other thing that makes the Japanese Grand Prix special is the fans: they’re incredible! No matter how early you turn up at the track, they’re there before you, waiting for you. And the feeling they have for you is unique and wonderful to experience. Last but not least, the weather at Suzuka is always unpredictable which means all sorts of things can happen in the race, which makes it particularly complex but also fascinating.”

 

Williams drivers speak on this weekend’s Japanese GP

 

 

ROKiT Williams Racing’s George Russell and Robert Kubica look ahead to this weekend’s Japanese Grand Prix and here is what they said.

 

George Russell, #63, ROKiT Williams Racing, FW42: “Japan is a race that I have been looking forward to for a long time, and it is a fantastic circuit that I can’t wait to drive. The fans are extremely passionate, I have only been there once as a Reserve Driver and even then, it was a really great feeling. The nature of the circuit should suit us better than Sochi did, so hopefully we can show a bit more pace. All in all, I am really looking forward to it.”

 

Robert Kubica, #88, ROKiT Williams Racing, FW42: “The Japanese Grand Prix is one of the most exciting on the Formula One calendar. It is a combination of really challenging sections which maximises the car potential through high-speed ‘S’ bends in the first sector. The middle part is a bit slower with a couple of hairpins, before a very fast part that takes you to the last corner of the track, which is a chicane. It is a track that has retained its old school racing DNA and is a great place to drive. Suzuka is also known for its excitable fans so it is a very special and unique place, not only in the car, but also out of the car.”

 

Alfa Romeo Racing on this weekend’s Japanese Grand Prix

 

 

Alfa Romeo Racing’s Antonio Giovinazzi and Kimi Raikkonen preview this weekend’s Japanese Grand Prix at the Suzuka International Racing Course.

 

Antonio Giovinazzi, #99, Alfa Romeo Racing, C38: “Suzuka is one of those historical tracks on which everyone wants to do well. It’s a very challenging layout and to drive on it in a Formula One car for the first time will be quite the experience. I had a good run of races before Russia and I know we can be at that level again in Japan. It’s a very different track from the last few we raced, so hopefully we will be able to turn our fortunes around and get back in the points.”

 

Kimi Raikkonen, #7, Alfa Romeo Racing, C38: “The last four races have been disappointing for me and the team, but we shouldn’t forget we looked strong in Belgium and Italy despite the issues that prevented me from scoring. The key is to recover the form we had before and immediately after the break: the gap from our rivals in the midfield is not big and hopefully a circuit like Suzuka can help us get the most out of our car. It’s a track I like and the fans are incredible, so I am looking forward to the weekend.”

 

Formula 1 Japanese Grand Prix 2019 Preview

 

Missed this weekend’s Formula 1 Japanese Grand Prix 2019 Preview? You can catch up on it right here at the link: #Formula1 Japanese Grand Prix 2019 Preview – #F1 #JapaneseGP