Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Japanese Grand-Prix preview 03.10.2017: Battle continues with Round 16 of the 2017 season from the Suzuka Circuit 2017 Japanese Grand Prix -

Battle continues with Round 16 of the 2017 season from the Suzuka Circuit





2017 Japanese Grand Prix -
 

Toto Talks Japan
 
In sport, it's in the tough times that you really see the strength of a team. Our championships in the past three years have come because we have never taken success for granted and, even in the good times, we were able to put our finger in the wound and work on our weaknesses.



 After Malaysia, we have found ourselves doing the same: analysing our problems, beginning to understand their causes and working on solutions.
 


However, this is not the work of a moment. While we work to improve in those areas, we must not forget the many strengths we have shown this season.



Our car has taken more pole positions and race wins than any other and we lead both championships - thanks both to the strength of our own performances and, in part, the misfortune of our rivals. But every point counts, no matter how they come to us.
 


Lewis has made the most of every opportunity in recent weeks; he has been in fantastic form, particularly since the summer break, and is driving with a perfect balance of aggression right now.



It has been a more challenging picture for Valtteri and it is a priority for us to give him the car he needs to perform - and to help him extract everything from it. It is not an easy time right now but this is the time for his strength of character, work ethic and natural talent to shine through.
 


The next challenge comes in the form of Suzuka, a circuit which will ask very different questions of our car than Sepang. In the last years, we have performed very strongly there.



 But recent weeks have reminded us that historic form counts for little with these 2017 cars and tyres. It is a circuit which rewards Grand Prix cars and drivers performing at their very best - and we expect a very close fight between ourselves, Ferrari and Red Bull.
 


As a team, our targets for the final quarter of the season are very clear. It is entirely in our hands to make sure we achieve them.
 
 


Stat Attack: Japan and Beyond
 
2017 Japanese Grand Prix Timetable
 
Session          Local Time (JST)          Brackley (BST)          Stuttgart (CEST)

Practice 1 (Friday)          10:00 - 11:30          02:00 - 03:30          03:00 - 04:30
Practice 2 (Friday)          14:00 - 15:30          06:00 - 07:30          07:00 - 08:30
Practice 3 (Saturday)          12:00 - 13:00          04:00 - 05:00          05:00 - 06:00
Qualifying (Saturday)          15:00 - 16:00          07:00 - 08:00          08:00 - 09:00
Race (Sunday)          14:00 - 16:00          06:00 - 08:00          07:00 - 09:00

 
 

Circuit Records - Silver Arrows at the Suzuka Circuit
 
           Starts          Wins          Podium Places          Poles          Front Row          Fastest Laps          DNF


Silver Arrows          7          3          6          3          6          2          2
L. Hamilton          8          2          4          0          3          2          1
V. Bottas          4          0          0          0          0          0          0
MB Power          21          7          20          3          10          5          11

 

 
Technical Stats - Season to Date (Barcelona Pre-Season Test 1 to Present)
 

           Laps Completed          Distance Covered (km)          Corners Taken          Gear Changes          PETRONAS Fuel Injections


Silver Arrows          6,158          30,752          98,493          297,137          246,320,000
L. Hamilton          2,777          13,987          44,761          134,835          111,080,000
V. Bottas          3,172          15,849          50,806          153,106          126,880,000
MB Power          17,398          87,172          277,836          840,057          695,920,000

 
 
All-Time Records - Silver Arrows in Formula One


 
           Starts          Wins          Podium Places          Poles          Front Row          Fastest Laps          1-2 Wins          Front Row Lockouts


Silver Arrows          163          73          148          84          151          54          39          49
Lewis Hamilton          203          60          114          70          115          38          N/A          N/A
Valtteri Bottas          92          2          19          2          6          1          N/A          N/A
MB Power          433          159          415          167          331          149          64          85



 
Bradley Lord- photos Mercedes and Sutton Images