F1 2026: Japanese GP - Suzuka (Mar 29)

<b><span class="theme-aware-color" style="--user-color: Red;"><span style="display: inline-block; font-size: 113%; line-height: 1.45;">F1 2026: Japanese GP - Suzuka (Mar 29)</span></span></b>

2025:

(source: HERE)

Schedule:
https://www.formula1.com/en/racing/2026/japan
(adjusts to your local time/date depending on your browsers/internet settings)

Suzuka International Racing Course



Circuit stats:
First Grand Prix: 1987
Number of Laps: 53
Circuit Length: 5.807 km
Race Distance: 307.471 km
Lap Record: 1:30.965 (Kimi Antonelli 2025)

Onboard Lap:
(2025 Max Verstappen pole lap)
2025 thread:
F1 2025: Japanese GP - Suzuka (Apr 6)

2025 race highlights:
2025 Lollipopman Comics:

So what are your predictions?
I think this fast circuit will surely favour the efficient Mercedes engines.
But will they be reliable? or will we see another debacle like we saw at McLaren last race?

This is my prediction:

1. RUS
2. ANT
3. PIA
4. NOR
5. LEC
6. HAM
7. VER
8. GAS
9. BOR
10. HAD


For people who don't place predictions: please refrain from giving negative comments after the race on predictions other members have given. Nobody makes perfect predictions, and if you don't make predictions yourself, you're not showing you know better.

Suzuka

M5Rick

Toto Wolff's eyes (!)

///M Power-Belgium wrote

M5Rick

Toto Wolff's eyes (!)

Wolff must be reading my posts heheh

My prediction (miracles happen
1.MAX
2. LEC
3. Ollie
4. HAD
5. NOR

Almost every manufacture is on X throwing aero protest stuff at Merc. and now Mclaren. I'm thinking this is going to be a interesting weekend for the FIA.

M5Rick wrote

My prediction (miracles happen
1.MAX
2. LEC
3. Ollie
4. HAD
5. NOR

I'll check your Miracle, and I raise pure copium.

1. ALO
2. MAX
3. LEC
4. HAM

Don't care about the rest. lmao

TGR Haas F1 Team @HaasF1Team
Consider the King of Monsters race-ready

La Gazzetta Ferrari @GazzettaFerrari
🚨 | BREAKING!
It wasn’t a failure but a trick involving Mercedes’ bi-phase wing, clearly providing interesting advantages.
Ferrari has explicitly requested clarification from the FIA regarding the mechanism.

F1 | Ferrari takes extreme energy recharge: strategies change at Suzuka:

— Ferrari has focused on enhancing the SF-26's energy distribution for the Japanese GP, with significant aerodynamic adjustments. The Macarena wing's modifications aim to improve the car's balance, crucial for the challenging Suzuka track.

— The team has been working on optimizing energy accumulation in slower sections, potentially using lower gears to maintain high rotation speeds. This strategy is part of Ferrari's effort to maximize the SF-26's capabilities without directly competing with Mercedes' strengths.

— Ferrari's aerodynamic tests with the Macarena wing continue, seeking a balance that enhances speed without compromising stability. The team is exploring different setups to ensure the car performs well on Suzuka's demanding track.

— The SF-26's development includes addressing its weight issues, with efforts to reduce the car's 6-7 kg excess. The Macarena wing is in its early development stages, with plans for more sophisticated versions that adapt to different track conditions.

— Ferrari is also considering revising the windscreen flap on the Halo, initially removed due to visibility concerns. A new version may be introduced to address these issues, ensuring compliance with FIA regulations and avoiding protests from competitors.

— Despite Mercedes' dominance, Ferrari remains determined to challenge their rivals. The Japanese GP will be a critical test of their development path, with a month-long break following the race to further refine their strategies.



Keep the Rev's up in the slow sections to charge the battery said NO real Formula One driver ever!

Things that make you go Hmmmmmm

Franco Nugnes, from Motorsport Italia, on the mysterious amendment to the engine regulations that benefited Mercedes:

"On October 16, 2025, as if by magic, the phrase '...and must be carried out at room temperature' was included in the regulation that established the measurement of the compression ratio"

"A mystery..."

M5Rick wrote

My prediction (miracles happen
1.MAX
2. LEC
3. Ollie
4. HAD
5. NOR

If you are really going for miracles, lets turn it up to 11:

1. Stevie Wonder
2. Stroll Jr
3. Alonso
4. Baby Shark
5. Maxi

Car-Addicted wrote

It wasn’t a failure but a trick involving Mercedes’ bi-phase wing, clearly providing interesting advantages.

Very interesting.... and potentially juicy.
No way FIA invalidates prior race results, but if something questionable is confirmed, the wing will magically start flipping faster in Suzuka.

a

M5Rick wrote

My prediction (miracles happen
1.MAX
2. LEC
3. Ollie
4. HAD
5. NOR

Pure copium

Toad wrote

Pure copium

Copium is required for Ferrari fans

Killed by Death wrote

Copium is required for Ferrari fans

Killed by Death wrote

Copium is required for Ferrari fans

-2005- The Iceman (!)

https://x.com/i/status/2036495396004839855

M5Rick wrote

My prediction (miracles happen
1.MAX
2. LEC
3. Ollie
4. HAD
5. NOR

The last 4 Suzuka winners (!)

///M Power-Belgium wrote

The last 4 Suzuka winners (!)

This is why I put him down for a favourite for the win

Stroll winning, would be funny to be honest.

I think it's business as usual up front, the Mercs ahead of the Ferrari's. McLaren not far behind en Verstappen struggling to be in front of the Alpines with mayby Bearman getting in that mix also.