2013 Formula 1 Japanese Grand Prix

[E90SLAM]

2013 is pretty much done and dusted. Even Ferrari is throwing the towel for the season. Mathematically four consecutive championships if Vettel wins in Japan and Alonso not finish higher than 9th. If not, India.

A strong second half season after the summer break.

Race Date: 13 Oct 2013
First Grand Prix: 1987
Number of Laps: 53
Circuit Length: 5.807 km
Race Distance: 307.471 km
Lap Record: 1:31.540 - K. Raikkonen (2005)

Tire Compounds Provided:
Prime: Hard (Orange)
Option: Medium (White)
Rain: Cinturato Intermediate (Green) / Cinturato Wet (Blue)

F1 TIMETABLE (Japan Local Time)
Fri 11 October 2013
Practice 1 10:00 - 11:30
Practice 2 14:00 - 15:30
Sat 12 October 2013
Practice 3 11:00 - 12:00
Qualifying 14:00
Sun 13 October 2013
Race 15:00

F1 TIMETABLE (Pacific Time)
Fri 11 October 2013
Practice 1 (Thu) 18:00 - 19:30
Practice 2 (Thu) 22:00 - 23:30
Sat 12 October 2013
Practice 3 (Fri) 19:00 - 20:00
Qualifying (Fri) 22:00
Sun 13 October 2013
Race (Sat) 23:00

F1 TIMETABLE (Eastern Time)
Fri 11 October 2013
Practice 1 (Thu) 21:00 - 22:30
Practice 2 (Fri) 01:00 - 02:30
Sat 12 October 2013
Practice 3 (Fri) 22:00 - 23:00
Qualifying (Sat) 01:00
Sun 13 October 2013
Race 02:00

[happos2]

Woot!

[Chihuahua]

Here's to hoping for another strong result for Sauber and the Hulk. Just wish they still had BMW power in there <sigh>.

[Mtxzptlk]

Wish Mclaren would wisen up; dump Perez and pickup Hulkenberg.

[ashtaron14]

If only this is rumor true... it would mean that Redbull has a KERS system that can control wheel slip based on downforce generated by the car, because traction control of any form based on engine rpm is banned. And it would somewhat explain why Redbull's KERS failed so often on Webber's car. You would need to be a robot to adapt to driving such a system.

http://jalopnik.com/red-bull-may-hav...olo-1442585020

[711wildcat]

Originally Posted by Mtxzptlk

Wish Mclaren would wisen up; dump Perez and pickup Hulkenberg.

Worst year Team McLaren has had for some time.

[jonasaurus]

Originally Posted by 711wildcat

Worst year Team McLaren has had for some time.

Even worse for Williams I mean they are competing with the back markers for a team with so much history

[Nang Vann]

Woo hoo back to back weekends!

[007MCoupe]

Man, if Spa and Suzuka could have a baby...

lol

This is my favorite overall track on the calendar.

[KingOfJericho]

Originally Posted by Mtxzptlk

Wish Mclaren would wisen up; dump Perez and pickup Hulkenberg.

McLaren's problem is with the car. They've essentially written off the 2013 season. That being said, I think Hulk should have had the ride over Perez but I also think Ferrari should have scooped him up.

[SukSqueezeBangBlo]

Originally Posted by ashtaron14

If only this is rumor true... it would mean that Redbull has a KERS system that can control wheel slip based on downforce generated by the car, because traction control of any form based on engine rpm is banned. And it would somewhat explain why Redbull's KERS failed so often on Webber's car. You would need to be a robot to adapt to driving such a system.

http://jalopnik.com/red-bull-may-hav...olo-1442585020

Very interesting. Its just shocking to me how that car is so far ahead of everyone.

[solstice]

Originally Posted by Mattgfx

Very interesting. Its just shocking to me how that car is so far ahead of everyone.

Agree, very,very interresting. A suspension action/pressure dependant TC would also give no help in rain where Redbull and Vettel is not as strong. Now when this theory is out there I'm sure more analysis will be done to compare corner entry vs. exit speeds, detailed sound analysis when a RBR hits the kerb and bounces up etc. Very clever if true since it's apparently legal. I hope F1 closes the loop hole if it exists since it doesn't really add to TC advancements outside of F1. A traditional TC will pickup all low traction situations this system detects more accurately.

[ptack]

Originally Posted by ashtaron14

If only this is rumor true... it would mean that Redbull has a KERS system that can control wheel slip based on downforce generated by the car, because traction control of any form based on engine rpm is banned. And it would somewhat explain why Redbull's KERS failed so often on Webber's car. You would need to be a robot to adapt to driving such a system.

http://jalopnik.com/red-bull-may-hav...olo-1442585020

This explains a lot. Let's see if F-1 lets it go for the rest of the season (and outlaws it next season) or calls shenanigans on Red Bull.
I'll get my broom.

[thebishman]

You know I've been an F1 fan for over 40 years but this kind of crap really pisses me off; almost to the point of wishing all the bloody cars were equal and then it would be a contest of true driver talent. I know, then it wouldn't be F1 but when one car has such superiority versus its peers and when that car is driven by one of the best drivers in the World, it tends to make the 'show' somewhat boring. My interest peaked many weeks ago but now I'm ready to move on. Frankly I hope the new 2014 engines grenade more often, yes especially in the Red Bull, because like the Ferrari/Schumacher era it gets boring. Could you imagine the scrap between Lewis; Kimi; Alonso and Vettel IF they were all in equal machines. It would be epic.
Bish

[solstice]

"Could you imagine the scrap between Lewis; Kimi; Alonso and Vettel IF they were all in equal machines. It would be epic."

Absolutely, the driver lineup now is incredible. And it doesn't stop there you have some serious young guns in ROS,GRO and Hulk as well. Hopefully the cars will be more equal next year. I'm sure FIA will try hard to make it as exciting and fair as possible ( as usual a bit more fair for Ferrari ).

[954Stealth]

I started that traction control rumor a couple of weeks ago. Go back through my old posts and feel free to check!

[E90SLAM]

Originally Posted by ashtaron14

If only this is rumor true... it would mean that Redbull has a KERS system that can control wheel slip based on downforce generated by the car, because traction control of any form based on engine rpm is banned. And it would somewhat explain why Redbull's KERS failed so often on Webber's car. You would need to be a robot to adapt to driving such a system.

http://jalopnik.com/red-bull-may-hav...olo-1442585020

IMO...that's brilliant!!!
That makes me wonder will that work next season with more complex ERS system.

Or teams will now start to exploit on that field..
F1 technology never dulls!!!

[E90SLAM]

Originally Posted by thebishman

You know I've been an F1 fan for over 40 years but this kind of crap really pisses me off; almost to the point of wishing all the bloody cars were equal and then it would be a contest of true driver talent. I know, then it wouldn't be F1 but when one car has such superiority versus its peers and when that car is driven by one of the best drivers in the World, it tends to make the 'show' somewhat boring. My interest peaked many weeks ago but now I'm ready to move on. Frankly I hope the new 2014 engines grenade more often, yes especially in the Red Bull, because like the Ferrari/Schumacher era it gets boring. Could you imagine the scrap between Lewis; Kimi; Alonso and Vettel IF they were all in equal machines. It would be epic.
Bish

First of all, welcome!

However, I always have a opinion about "Formula 1". Which is a "Formula" of Team+car+driver+luck=win or champion
Each year has a different factor of emphasis on different aspects. Which most of them involve cars in recent decades. The dynamics of the winning has shifted a bit, but still the best team with the best car with the best driver will win.
What I'm trying to say is, we hardly (or never?) see a WDC wins in a POS junk that season right?
I hope there's no boring season, and I do not like one driver/team dominate several seasons. But I must admire and hats off to RBR to what they have achieved recent years.

[sensi09]

Yes very interesting article. It should be noted though that the 31 sec lead was with Alonso conserving tires or gas and holding up the rest of the pack.

Also some of those traction control comments by vettel were a bit tongue in cheek after being accused by Minardi and the rest for using traction control.

I dont keep up with rumors, but is the red bull moving to an Infiniti engine next year?

[E90SLAM]

Originally Posted by sensi09

I dont keep up with rumors, but is the red bull moving to an Infiniti engine next year?

Just to clarify, Infiniti does not develop F1 engines.

Infiniti added to RBR title sponsorship due to the connection of Renault-Nissan Group and Infiniti as part of the Nissan.

The RB10 will be powered by Renault engine/ERS system.

[sensi09]

Oh they were just talking about possible infiniti rebranding.....guess I misread that

[KingOfJericho]

Originally Posted by thebishman

You know I've been an F1 fan for over 40 years but this kind of crap really pisses me off; almost to the point of wishing all the bloody cars were equal and then it would be a contest of true driver talent. I know, then it wouldn't be F1 but when one car has such superiority versus its peers and when that car is driven by one of the best drivers in the World, it tends to make the 'show' somewhat boring. My interest peaked many weeks ago but now I'm ready to move on. Frankly I hope the new 2014 engines grenade more often, yes especially in the Red Bull, because like the Ferrari/Schumacher era it gets boring. Could you imagine the scrap between Lewis; Kimi; Alonso and Vettel IF they were all in equal machines. It would be epic.
Bish

What about the vaccuum car or the active suspension cars? Innovation is one of my favorite things about the sport and to be honest, how much of Vettel has really been televised? When you're racing off into the sunset, it doesn't even make for good TV, and I think the world feed realizes that and they focus almost entirely on battles for other top 10 positions. In that respect, this season has been the most exciting and entertaining in many years. Watching Hulk, Kimi, and Lewis battle their way through the field has really been the highlight of this season and has made me care very little about who stands on the podium. If you're only watching for the podium then I think you're missing the real excitement of F1.