For subscribers
In the Driver’s Seat
No thriller at Suzuka, but stopwatches tell a different story
Sign up now: Get the biggest sports news in your inbox
Red Bull Racing driver Max Verstappen (centre) celebrates with his teammates during a team photo after the Japanese Grand Prix at the Suzuka Circuit.
PHOTO: EPA-EFE
Had they but known, the International Automobile Federation (FIA) could have saved the 10 teams a few hundred kilometres of power unit life and Pirelli 20 sets of tyres, plus lots of human time and energy, by handing out the trophies for the Japanese Grand Prix after qualifying on Saturday afternoon instead of running the race.
Had they done so, they might also have saved 255,000 partisan spectators the anguish of witnessing home hero Yuki Tsunoda struggling to a lowly 12th place after qualifying 15th, in his first outing since his promotion to the Red Bull team.
