© Vladmir RysRace Changing Moments - Japanese Grand Prix 2023After that race, there’s plenty to unpack. Here are the ups and downs from Suzuka.
TheJapaneseGrandPrixwasataleoftwodriver.Let’slookatthehighsandlowsfromSuzuka.
After a blip in form in Singapore, Max returned to the track in Suzuka in attack mode.
In fact, through all three Free Practice Sessions Max was fastest for the entire duration. It was a sign of things to come over the race weekend, with Max leaving no doubt that the Team’s result in Singapore was a one-off.
Suzuka Setup On Softs For FP2© Getty Images
Max made the first two qualifying sessions look easy, but it was Q3 when he really shone. His first flying lap was 1:29.012, which would’ve been enough to see him claim pole, but he wasn’t finished.
As the minutes ticked down Max went out for his second run and put in what may have been close to a perfect lap, with a time of 1:28.877 - almost six tenths of a second clear of second-placed Oscar Piastri. Christian Horner was so impressed with Max’s qualifying performance, he said: “We witnessed something very special today. Max was in a different league. I encourage you to look at the replay on the final lap and focus on turns five, six and then that high speed section. It really was quite outstanding and you have to take your hat off to him.”
The Eyes Only Want One Thing© Getty Images
At the start of the race Checo found himself sandwiched between Carlos Sainz and Lewis Hamilton heading into turn one. To avoid Sainz, Checo moved to his left, which in turn meant Hamilton had to go on the grass to avoid a collision, however there was contact, which damaged Checo’s wing, forcing him to pit two laps later.
Traffic At Turn 1© Getty Images
After a difficult start, it was going to get worse for the Mexican Bull. Following his pitstop and front wing changed, Checo returned to the track under the Safety Car but was deemed to infringe on rules and given a five second penalty.
Checo was then working his way through traffic and was up to P12 on lap 13. He then made a late move on Haas’ Kevin Magnussen and the pair came together causing Checo to break another front wing.
Checo returned to the pits, changed his wing and served his five second penalty. He re-joined the action, radioed the pit wall, saying “something’s wrong with the car”, bringing the car back to the pit on Lap 15.
A Race To Forget For Checo© Getty Images
UsingTheRuleBookToFullEffect
Once Checo had retired everyone assumed that was the end of his weekend. But he was given another penalty for causing a collision with Magnussen, and the rule book said that if he didn’t serve that penalty, it could mean a grid penalty at the next race. So, the Team got Checo’s car ready and after he’d been sitting in the garage for 41 minutes, he returned to the action before serving the penalty and retiring again.
Talking The Finer Details© Getty Images
Max’s 13th win – and the Team’s 15th – win of the season saw the Team clinch the Constructors’ Championship with six races still remaining. It’s the Team’s sixth constructors’ title since its inception in 2005.
It’s a testament to the dominance of the entire team that the championship has been wrapped up just over a quarter of the season remaining.
But the Team is going to keep pushing because there’s still the Drivers’ Championship to wrap up. Which Max will be able to do as soon as the Sprint Race in Qatar on the 7th October. And finally, the Team will look to finish strong with a 1-2 in the drivers’ standings, something the Team has never done.