F1, Japanese Grand Prix: Race Predictions

#1 Lewis extends championship lead over Vettel

F1 Grand Prix of Russia

Lewis Hamilton scored his 80th career pole position in Suzuka and even though he has a well-rounded result of 70 race wins and 130 podium finishes, he would be hoping to increment those numbers on Sunday.

Mercedes decided to send their drivers on super softs at the start of Q3 when the track was relatively dry, while Ferrari chose intermediates. The tyre choices turned out to be a decider for the starting grid as the Silver Arrows claimed the front row and the Prancing Horse had to be content with fourth and ninth. With their championship contender starting almost at the end of the top ten, his chances to reduce Hamilton’s lead diminishes by a great margin.

The British driver has to start the Grand Prix on a set of Medium tyres, which would help him have a longer stint and might be to his benefit. Lewis is the defending champion in Japan and he would be hoping for another smooth ride to work towards attaining an unassailable advantage over his rival.