The 3 challenges of the Japanese Grand Prix

Verstappen soon in history

Hoping that he will smile again on Sunday evening to celebrate the title. ©DPPI

It's not official yet but Max Verstappen could (should) be crowned this weekend at the Japanese Grand Prix. It's only a matter of time after all. After missing a first match point in Singapore seven days ago, the Batavian does not intend to miss a new opportunity to become a double world champion. To achieve this, the 26 points for victory and the best lap in the race are enough for him regardless of the results of Charles Leclerc and Sergio Pérez. Otherwise, the Dutchman will have 8 points more than the Monegasque and 6 than his Mexican teammate.

Barring an unforeseen catastrophe, Max Verstappen will most likely join Fernando Alonso (2005 and 2006), Mika Hakkinen (1998 and 1999), Emerson Fittipaldi (1972 and 1974), Graham Hill (1962 and 1968), Jim Clark (1963 and 1965) and Alberto Ascari (1952 and 1953) among the double world champions this week-end.

Alpine, restart the machine

Fernando Alonso watching new points go up in smoke like the engine Alpine. ©DPPI/A. Vincent

It's not going well for Alpine Right now. As she began to assert herself as the 4^e force of the plate in front McLaren, the French team was stopped in its tracks. After the zero points at Monza in mid-September, Laurent's men Red suffered a double retirement at the Singapore Grand Prix due to two engine failures. In the meantime, Lando Norris et Daniel Ricciardo offered the 22 cumulative points of the 4^e and 5^e places in the city-state which allowed the Woking structure to get back in front for 4 lengths.

In the tough during his last two outings, Alpine will have to rectify the situation in Japan. The introduction of a new floor seemed to bring performance to Singapore where Fernando Alonso was in the mix from qualifying and fighting for the Top 5 before his retirement from the race. However, the A arrow will have to resolve its reliability concerns for good because yet another problempine mechanics could be very expensive at the end of the season.

Tsunoda, big first at home

Yuki tsunoda will be the star of the weekend at Suzuka. ©DPPI/F. Gooden

Very special Japanese Grand Prix for Yuki Tsunoda. The Japanese round returns to the calendar after three years of absence, the driver Alpha Tauri will have the opportunity to perform for the first time in front of his audience since his promotion in F1 last season. “ It's great to be here (...) I'm definitely having my best days since I've been in F1. I can't wait to start the weekend."

But it won't all be a show for Yuki Tsunoda who will have to perform on the track. In search of confidence after having been confirmed for the 2023 season, still with AlphaTauri, he intends to use his national Grand Prix to relaunch himself after a blunder in Singapore where he ended up in the wall after a poor judgment when braking and above all to show that he can be a leader for his team in 2023 where he should be associated with Nyck de Vries after the very probable departure de Pierre Gasly in Alpine.

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