The 2023 Method 1 World Championship battle continues this weekend with spherical 17, the Japanese Grand Prix, which takes place on the legendary Suzuka Circuit.

The racetrack is exclusive in that it contains a figure-eight structure with two ranges of racing surfaces. The structure makes it the one F1 observe that runs each clockwise and counterclockwise. It was designed in 1962 by Dutch automobile and racetrack designer John Hugenholz, initially as a check observe for Honda, and was later transformed into an F1 observe in time for the 1987 season.

It is a observe of two halves, stretching 3.6 miles in size and that includes nearly each potential kind of nook, from high-speed kinks to flowing linked turns and profiled curved bends and chicanes and hairpins. There aren’t many straights, although, which suggests Suzuka is only one of 4 racetracks on the calendar that has a single DRS zone.

There additionally aren’t many heavy braking zones or runoff areas, which makes it an actual problem for drivers. The slim width additionally makes overtaking troublesome. The very best technique is discovering a very good rhythm and having good aero stability.

Suzuka Circuit, dwelling of the Method 1 Japanese Grand Prix

The observe floor can be among the many roughest and most abrasive of the yr, which suggests tire put on and degradation is on the excessive aspect. Consequently, Pirelli has nominated its more durable compounds for the weekend: C1 because the white arduous, C2 because the yellow medium, and C3 because the crimson delicate.

Suzuka is well-known for its variable climate, too, with typhoons potential presently of yr. Nonetheless, the present forecast requires heat and sunny circumstances all through the weekend.

After some apply on Friday, Crimson Bull Racing’s Max Verstappen was the quickest, adopted by Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc and McLaren’s Lando Norris. AlphaTauri additionally confirmed that reserve driver Liam Lawson will as soon as once more fill in for the injured Daniel Ricciardo.

Going into Saturday’s qualifying session and Sunday’s race, Verstappen leads the 2023 Drivers’ Championship with 374 factors. Fellow Crimson Bull driver Sergio Perez is second with 223 factors and Mercedes-Benz AMG’s Lewis Hamilton is third with 180 factors. Within the Constructors’ Championship, Crimson Bull leads with 597 factors. Mercedes is second with 289 factors and Ferrari is third with 265 factors. Final yr’s winner in Japan was Verstappen driving for Crimson Bull.