2016 Track Preview; Japanese Grand Prix, Suzuka

As we head to Suzuka for the Japanese Grand Prix this weekend just a week after the Malaysian Grand Prix for the seventeenth race of the 2016 season Pirelli have shown the same tyre nominations from Sepang last weekend; P Zero Orange hard, P Zero White medium, and P Zero Yellow soft tyres.

Another thing that the Japanese Grand Prix has in common with Malaysia is the fact that two sets of the hard compound have been nominated as mandatory sets, meaning that the hardest compound will definitely be used at some point during the race by every driver.

Suzuka is one of the most atmospheric races of the season, with an old-school feel thanks to its fast corners and small run-off areas. Just like Malaysia, there's a strong possibility of rain featuring during the weekend: but unlike Malaysia the track is quite narrow, which makes overtaking more difficult.

Track temperatures can vary massively, from very warm weather to cold and wet conditions. As a result of this track evolution can be hard to predict as strategy also needs to remain flexible because of the possibility of safety cars and relative difficulty of overtaking at Suzuka.

There is plenty of energy goes through tyres because many corners are very long, maximising loads. The famous 130R, for example, contains the highest continuous g-force loading of the year.

There are few longitudinal forces: instead Suzuka is all about lateral loads through corners. These factors tend to lead to high levels of wear and degradation, with more than one pit stop.

This then ensures the teams tend to run a high downforce set-up to maximise speed through the fast corners in order to get the pace and performance needed to get the best result possible from the Suzuka circuit that is a popular favourite with the fans.

Here's my facts and figures as well as my predictions heading into the Japanese Grand Prix this weekend-
Facts and Figures

•Suzuka has hosted the Grand Prix since 1987.
•Michael Schumacher is the most successful driver at the track with six wins.
•Sebastian Vettel is the most successful current driver with four wins.
•McLaren is the most successful constructor to win the Grand Prix with nine wins.
•Race distance: 307.47km (191.05 miles)
•Number of turns: 18
•Top speed: 310kph
•Lap record: Kimi Raikkonen- McLaren (2005)- 1.31.540

Last five winners of the Japanese Grand Prix:-
•2011-Jenson Button
•2012-Sebastian Vettel
•2013- Sebastian Vettel
•2014- Lewis Hamilton
•2015- Lewis Hamilton

My five things to look out for this weekend:-

1.Tyre performance-With Pirelli bringing the hardest tyre choices to Suzuka just like Malaysia, all eyes will be upon Pirelli to see if the tyres will spice up the action at the track this weekend. But it will be interesting to see how that affects tyre usage and strategy during the race especially given the fact that the front-left tyre will be the most worked. Will this impact anyone's race on Sunday as a result?

2.Weather- As I have already mentioned, the weather can change during the event at any given time and all the teams and the drivers will have to find fast dry and also wet weather set ups. Will this affect anyone?

3.Safety Car- With the Safety Car having made appearances at the event (the 2009 race brings to mind) and with the track having had changes to help with that, will we see the Safety Car appearing again this weekend and make an appearance this weekend?

4.Performance of the Red Bull and Ferraris team- With the Red Bull team now in front of the Ferrari team have found some form on the track in Malaysia and Ferrari now fall behind to catch Red Bull again, all eyes will be upon both teams to deliver the goods this weekend at a circuit that usually bodes well for both of them.

5.Rosberg v Hamilton- With Hamilton retiring from Malaysia and Rosberg having a damage limitation weekend to finish in third place, the championship battle could go either two ways this weekend.

Hamilton needs to win at Suzuka this weekend in order to keep himself realistically in the championship fight as if Hamilton doesn't win here but wins the remaining events, he will still not be champion.

Meanwhile, Rosberg needs to maintain the level of performance he is currently showing if he wants to become champion. What will happen this weekend?

Sky Sports F1 are showing uninterrupted coverage of every Practice session, Qualifying and race for the Grand Prix (and every race of the season) and Channel Four also are showing coverage, details for both are below:-

•*Sky Sports F1*:- Friday (Practice 1 and 2) 1.45am and 5.45pm [Replays throughout Thursday and Friday], Saturday (Practice 3 and Qualifying) 3.45am and 6.00pm [Replays throughout Saturday], Sunday (Race) 4.30am

•*Channel Four*- , Saturday (Qualifying Higlights) 12.15pm and Sunday (Race Highlights) 1.30pm

Sarah Jones- @jonesy_laaa