Welcome to the Grid Girls Formula Podcast! In this first official recap, host Zoe takes you through all the key moments from the Japanese Grand Prix, kicking off the first of a thrilling triple-header weekend. While the race itself wasn’t the most action-packed, the weekend certainly held some intriguing stories that we’ll unpack in today’s episode.
We dive into the iconic Suzuka track, with its 3.6 miles, 18 turns, and unique figure-8 layout, a place where some legendary championship battles have unfolded. We also discuss the surprising driver switch between Liam Lawson and Yuki Tsunoda, the team’s decision to pull Lawson after just two races, and Zoe's thoughts on how this unfolded.
We go through the highs and lows of the practice sessions, including a chaotic FP2 filled with red flags and fires, the tension during qualifying (with some unexpected drama around Hadjar and Tsunoda), and a deep dive into the strategy and technical aspects of the race, where Max Verstappen once again proved his dominance, though not without a few intriguing moments of strategy and drama.
We’ll also discuss how Suzuka’s challenging Esses push cars to their limits, the science behind the lateral forces at play, and how teams adjust their setups to conquer these demanding corners.
Plus, we’ll touch on some rookie moments that made an impact, from Kimi Antonelli’s fastest lap to Isack Hadjar scoring his first points. With a lot of movement in the championship standings, this episode is packed with insights, analysis, and a little bit of cheeky banter on the side.
Tune in for all the action and excitement as we gear up for the next races in this incredible F1 season!
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