The 18th round of the 2022 F1 season Returned to Japan for the first time in three years. Our resident F1 writer Nick van der Meulen outlines the race in his 100th report for our site, titled F1 Review Japan 2022.

The Japanese Grand Prix is an event that has been run since 1963. It was only incorporated into the F1 world championship in 1976, however. The inaugural race, held at Mount Fuji, will be remembered for its torrential rain. Niki Lauda withdrew on lap 2 and James Hunt clinched the world championship after finishing third. The first race to be run at Suzuka was in 1987, where Gerhard Berger (Ferrari) dominated the event. 

Follow Double Apex on Instagram and Facebook where we share more car content.

It was the place where Ayrton Senna won his first world championship in 1988. It was also where Senna and Alain Prost had their championship showdowns in 1989 and 1990. Suzuka has gained legendary status in the eyes of racing drivers new and old, particularly with the challenging 130R corner. The circuit has also been the venue of tragedies, the most recent being that of Jules Bianchi in 2014. The Frenchman hit a tractor in wet conditions and succumbed to his injuries nine months later.

Order from our online store and take advantage of free delivery in South Africa on orders over R349

Wet Underfoot

As at Singapore, the race began in sodden conditions. A few incidents occurred shortly after the start that brought out the safety car. The most notable was that of Carlos Sainz (Ferrari), who aquaplaned off the circuit and destroyed his car. A red flag was shown soon afterwards. The restart was delayed by two hours, due to the continuous rain and treacherous conditions. Due to time constraints, the race resulted in a 40-minute sprint.

Click here to check out our dedicated Formula One section.

Lessons Not Learnt

Pierre Gasly (Alpha Tauri) expressed shock at seeing a tractor on the circuit, addressing Sainz’s machine, under safety car conditions. The incident was reminiscent of what happened at the same circuit seven years previously (see above). The FIA has since responded by stating that Gasly was under investigation for speeding under red flag conditions.

Click here to read some interesting facts about the Suzuka circuit.

Another questionable decision from the FIA was the way points were awarded for the Grand Prix. Of the 53 laps scheduled, only 29 were completed – less than two-thirds distance. By rights, full points should not have been awarded, yet this is what transpired. As a result, it has handed Max Verstappen (Red Bull Racing) his second world title, however, this result was inevitable.

Sprint Race

The restart saw Verstappen blast away from the opposition, waltzing to victory by 27 seconds. The Dutchman was unstoppable throughout the weekend, claiming his twelfth victory of the season. Teammate Sergio Perez ran third for the majority of the race, but claimed second place. The penultimate corner of the final lap saw Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) running off at the chicane. While Leclerc finished ahead of the Mexican, the Monegasque was penalised five seconds for the transgression.

Strong Showing

Esteban Ocon (Alpine) had a solid race to finish fourth ahead of Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes). The Englishman harried the Frenchman for position for the second half of the race, without success. Sebastian Vettel (Aston Martin-Mercedes) drove a strong race to finish sixth at his final Japanese Grand Prix. He narrowly beat Fernando Alonso (Alpine) and George Russell (Mercedes) to the chequered flag. Nicolas Latifi (Williams-Mercedes) and Lando Norris (McLaren-Mercedes) claimed the last points on offer.

Wrong Call

Mick Schumacher (Haas-Ferrari) must be the most frustrated driver post-race, after running strongly in the top ten. His team decided to keep him out on track (“waiting for a safety car”) when others pitted for intermediate tyres. This saw the German plummet down the leader board and finish last.

Title Race

Verstappen (366 points) has an unassailable lead in the 2022 F1 world championship. Perez (253 points) and Leclerc (252 points) and now vying for runner-up in the standings. Russell (207 points) is marginally ahead of Sainz (202 points).

Red Bull Racing (619 points) dominates the constructors’ standings ahead of Ferrari (454 points). The Italian marque is comfortably ahead of Mercedes (387 points). Alpine (143 points) and McLaren (130 points) continue to duke it out for fourth in the standings.

The 19th round of the 2022 F1 world championship takes place at Circuit of the Americas, Texas, USA, on 21 to 23 October.