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Only Spa receives the highest rating for a race course from almost all drivers. Alonso: “Here you have everything a driver and the car need. A fluid but damn fast combination. Just crazy!”
Japan 2012 final Sauber podium
The Spaniard won twice at Suzuka in a Renault: in 2006 ahead of Massa in the Ferrari and in 2008 ahead of Kubica in the BMW-Sauber. We would be in Hinwil soon. In 2022, there were no points in the race after starting positions 12 (Bottas) and 14 (Zhou).
The last Sauber podium finish here in Japan in 2012 by national hero Kamui Kobayashi is almost historic. Behind Vettel (Red Bull) and Massa (Ferrari). Yes, it’s been a long time. And it will probably be a long time before the next stage performance takes place. 2026 with Audi?
Verstappen with super time
In the first training with 28 degrees at the front, the usual picture – after the exception in Singapore: World Cup leader Max Verstappen set a super time of 1:31.647 after 20 of 60 minutes. Behind them Pérez, Alonso and Hülkenberg in the Haas Ferrari. The American team has finally upgraded the car again.
In the battle for eighth place in the World Championship, Haas has a 12:10 lead over Alfa-Sauber. But from there you only hear positive words. Team representative Bravi: “We learned a lot in Singapore. And in Suzuka we will be able to take advantage of the benefits of the new aero package.”
Alfa-Sauber: Big words again
Valtteri Bottas (34), 2019 Suzuka winner in a Mercedes: “This is of course a circuit that I love. We have seen that our direct opponents have all made progress. That should be our goal too. We still have a few chances to score points. Also here at Suzuka.”
Guanyu Zhou (24): “We expect a big step forward and the track layout should suit our car better than in Singapore. We have to be ready from Friday!” Well, the Chinese clearly finished in last place in the first training. And Bottas finished 17th – unfortunately the usual picture. Even if you haven’t touched the soft rubber yet. Like Mercedes.
Plus the shock of the World Cup bottom team Alpha Tauri-Honda (five points): 5th Tsunoda, 9th Lawson. Will they strike again like in Singapore (9th Lawson)?
Ferrari has not won in Japan since 2004
Towards the end of training, Ferrari also arrived at the front with Sainz and Leclerc. But more than half a second behind the high-flyer from 2023. After Ferrari’s first victory in Singapore (after 25 bankruptcies), the statistics for the Reds remain brutal: the team from Maranello has not won in Japan since 2004 (Michael Schumacher).
With six triumphs, Schumi is the only emperor in the land of the rising sun. For Hamilton with five successes and Vettel with four successes. The German, who resigned at the end of 2022, returned to Suzuka as a beekeeper.
Results of the 1st training
Source : Blick
I’m Emma Jack, a news website author at 24 News Reporters. I have been in the industry for over five years and it has been an incredible journey so far. I specialize in sports reporting and am highly knowledgeable about the latest trends and developments in this field.
