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Setting the scene for Japan

Lewis Hamilton and Felipe Massa were the main protagonists of the first day of the Japanese Grand Prix weekend. Edd Straw sets the scene for the Suzuka event

Pre-Grand Prix Thursdays in the Formula 1 paddock are sometimes about looking forward, about simmering anticipation for the weekend ahead rising. On other occasions, it's effectively a hangover from the previous race. Today in Suzuka fell into the latter category, which was no surprise.

After the Singapore Grand Prix, the talk was all about Lewis Hamilton's struggles. On top of that, you had Felipe Massa at worst rudely accosting him in the TV pen (although to read some accounts you'd think he'd grappled him to the floor and tried to torture him into a confession) and ludicrous conspiracy theories based upon race engineer Rob Smedley's use of the word "destroy" over the radio.

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