Japanese Grand Prix 2010

JAPAN 2010

This weekend the F1 championship stays in Asia with Japan hosting the sixteenth round of the F1 World Championship 2010. The race will be held at the Suzuka circuit, owned by a subsidiary of the Honda Motor Corp. The Japanese Grand Prix has many times played the role of the title deciding Grand Prix and looking at the cut throat competition in the Drivers’ Championship this year we hope that we will be in for a thriller on Sunday. Michael Schumacher holds the record for the most number of wins by a driver (6) while Mclaren holds the record for the most wins by a constructor (8) at this GP.

Track Map.-

Last winners.-

Year	Driver	Constructor
2009	Sebastian Vettel	Red Bull Racing
2008	Fernando Alonso	Renault
2007	Lewis Hamilton	Mclaren-Mercedes
2006	Fernando Alonso	Renault
2005	Kimi Raikkonen	Mclaren-Mercedes
2004	Michael Schumacher	Ferrari
2003	Rubens Barrichello	Ferrari
2002	Michael Schumacher	Ferrari
2001	Michael Schumacher	Ferrari
2000	Michael Schumacher	Ferrari

Driverwatch.-

1.    Mark Webber (202 points)

Last five races.-

GER HUN BEL  ITA SIN

  6^th    1^st    2^nd  6^th  3^rd 

Mark Webber was third time lucky at Singapore this year as he completed the Singapore GP for the first time. A podium finish was the icing on the cake. The 15 points helped him maintain his place at the top of the pack with 202 points. He must keep up the good work and at the same time keep an eye out Fernando Alonso. Webber finished 19^th in the 2009 Japanese GP after starting the race from the pit lane.

2.    Fernando Alonso (191 points)

Last five races.-

GER HUN BEL  ITA SIN

 1^st     2^nd  Ret  1^st   1^st

An accident at Spa meaning an unfinished race for the Spanish driver made many people think that he was done for the year. But two consecutive wins later he is truly back in the race for the crown. Looking at his current form the 11 point difference between him and Mark Webber seems easily coverable for the two time world champion. The 2009 race in Japan wasn’t a memorable one for Alonso as he finished the race out of the points in the 10^th position.

3.    Lewis Hamilton (182 points)

Last five races.-

GER HUN BEL  ITA SIN

   4^th  Ret   1^st  Ret Ret

Two races ago Hamilton was at the top of the lot with a healthy lead over Mark Webber. But since then things haven’t gone well for the Brit. In spite of qualifying 3^rd in Singapore and 5^th in Italy he has had collisions in both races and hence has remained on the same points. He must try hard to get a good position in Japan or it will be too late for him to win the Championship again.

Japan has been a good place for him as he has stepped on the podium twice in his three F1 races here.

Teamwatch.-

1.    Red Bull Racing (383 points)

It was certainly a good race for the Red Bull team at Singapore as both of their drivers managed to get to the podium, 33 points in the bag and the team couldn’t have asked for more. They will be heading to Japan with high hopes of getting a good finish.

2.    Mclaren-Mercedes (359 points)

Hamilton’s woes continued at Singapore but again, Button made sure that the team does not go out of contention of the Constructors’ Championship by getting a well deserved 4^th place.

3.    Ferrari (319 points)

With Fernando Alonso flying high Ferrari are on a roll. Massa got a decent 8^th place finish which ensured that the title is still open for the Prancing Horse. In spite of Raikkonen finishing on the podium twice for Ferrari, Ferrari has not had a winner in Japan since the days Michael Schumacher.

What about Force India?

It was a mixed result for Force India at Singapore as Liuzzi was unable to finish the race but Sutil showed great determination by finishing 9^th after starting 16^th. The Indian outfit is yet to get their first points in Japan. Let’s hope this is the first time.

    What’s special at Suzuka?

·        The Suzuka circuit is one of the rare circuits in which cars have to pass over the track on an overpass.

TV Listings.-

          Qualifying.-

14:00 Race local Time

10:30 IST LIVE on Star Sports   

Main Race.-

15:00 Race Local Time

11:30 IST LIVE on Star Sports