sport news F1: SEVEN things to look out for at the return of the Japanese Grand Prix trends now

sport news F1: SEVEN things to look out for at the return of the Japanese Grand Prix trends now
sport news F1: SEVEN things to look out for at the return of the Japanese Grand Prix trends now

sport news F1: SEVEN things to look out for at the return of the Japanese Grand Prix trends now

Max Verstappen is cruising towards a second world championship with far more ease than his controversial final lap decider last season - but that hasn't stopped yet another F1 war breaking out among the top teams.

With the Dutchman in with a chance of winning the championship with four races to spare at Suzuka on Sunday, the fall-out from his 2021 success still rumbles on amid concerns that his Red Bull team may have minorly broken F1's budget cap regulations.

Red Bull are confident they have not breached the rules - team boss Christian Horner stating he is 'absolutely confident' in Red Bull's submission to the FIA, adding: 'We believe we are comfortably within the cap' - ahead of the FIA publishing their findings on Monday. They will instead focus on helping Verstappen seal the title after his bungled race in Singapore last time out.

It's just one of many features heading into the weekend as Sportsmail point towards what to look out for as the Japanese Grand Prix makes a welcome return to the F1 calendar. 

Suzuka returns to host the Japanese Grand Prix which has not been staged since 2019

Suzuka returns to host the Japanese Grand Prix which has not been staged since 2019

Verstappen well on course for second title

Verstappen could have won the world championship last Sunday in Singapore, only for him to endure one of his worst weekends of the season to finish seventh.

Still, he stands a good chance of wrapping up the title at Suzuka, which will be perfect timing for Honda who have helped Red Bull develop their power units since officially leaving the team last season.

Max Verstappen is homing in on winning his second world championship this weekend

Max Verstappen is homing in on winning his second world championship this weekend

Honda already they seem to be edging towards a closer working relationship with Red Bull and at the track created for them in the 1960s as a test circuit, their logos will return to the Red Bull and AlphaTauri cars for good this weekend.

Verstappen simply needs to outscore Ferrari's Charles Leclerc by eight points and also gain six points on team-mate Sergio Perez.

The simplest way this could happen is if he wins the race with a fastest lap or if he takes victory without the fastest lap and Leclerc fails to finish second - not unlikely given the Suzuka circuit is thought to favour Red Bull's car.

HOW VERSTAPPEN CAN WIN TITLE 

Verstappen finishes first with fastest lap: Verstappen is world champion 

Verstappen finishes first without fastest lap: Leclerc places no higher than third 

Verstappen finishes second: Leclerc places no higher than fifth with fastest lap. Perez no higher than fourth without the fastest lap.

Verstappen finishes third with fastest lap: Leclerc places no higher than sixth. Perez no higher than fifth.

Verstappen finishes third without fastest lap: Leclerc places no higher than seventh. Perez no higher than sixth

Verstappen finishes fourth: Leclerc places no higher than eighth. Perez no higher than seventh (without fastest lap)

Verstappen finishes fifth: Leclerc places no higher than ninth. Perez no higher than eighth.

Verstappen finishes sixth:

Leclerc must not score inside the top 10. Perez no higher than eighth, or ninth with fastest lap.

Verstappen finishes seventh or lower: Verstappen cannot claim the title at Suzuka

 

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Ferrari looking to spoil party

While it is practically inevitable Verstappen will win the championship at some point, Ferrari will still be keen to ruin any title parade while they still can.

Charles Leclerc and the Italian outfit looked like being strong title contenders in the first half of the season but huge mistakes from both and just general bad luck has seen them drop away alarmingly in the last few races.

Ferrari have been consistent in starring during qualifying on Saturdays but tend to fall away in race pace when it really matters.

There were hopes that they made some gains on Red Bull after Leclerc put huge pressure on Perez during their fight for victory at Singapore last time out but can they now take that sort of form and pace into Suzuka?

If they do have the speed they will hope that both their drivers can benefit. While Leclerc was chasing victory, his team-mate Carlos Sainz quickly fell away from the front two at Marina Bay and was more focused on defending his final podium spot. The Spaniard will need to improve this weekend.

Ferrari's Charles Leclerc (left) and Carlos Sainz (right) were beaten to victory in Singapore by Red Bull's Sergio Perez and will hope to go one better at Suzuka

Ferrari's Charles Leclerc (left) and Carlos Sainz (right) were beaten to victory in Singapore by Red Bull's Sergio Perez and will hope to go one better at Suzuka

Hamilton back in the fight

Another driver with a point to prove is Lewis Hamilton as like Verstappen he also endured one of his worst races of the season after an error strewn performance in Singapore.

He won't need any motivation coming into the weekend especially if he has a chance to stop his arch rival Verstappen from defending a title he saw snatched away from him on the last-lap finale at Abu Dhabi last season.

The seven-time champion arrived at the track in his latest eye catching fashionwear, displaying a floral patterned coat while also wearing a self branded t-shirt displaying a menacing looking image with sharp teeth.

He certainly seems  to be on the hunt and Hamilton will be looking to put pressure on Red Bull hinting that any potential breach of the budget cap that has been alleged of the team could have been enough to wrestle the 2021 title away from him.

Lewis Hamilton arrives at the Suzuka circuit on Thursday ahead of the race weekend

Lewis Hamilton arrives at the Suzuka circuit on Thursday ahead of the race weekend

The seven-time world champion was wearing an eye-catching floral jacket with a menacing looking t-shirt as he hopes to hit back with a strong performance after a poor race in Singapore

Hamilton is looking to kick on at one of his favoured race tracks

The seven-time world champion was wearing an eye-catching floral jacket with a menacing looking t-shirt as he hopes to hit back with a strong performance after a poor race in Singapore

He told Sky Sports: 'I don't want to say anything really but what can say is I remember last year in

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