Minute-by-minute updates for the 2024 Formula 1 Japanese Grand Prix.
Red Bull locked out the front row of the grid in qualifying, with Max Verstappen on pole once again. It will be on the chasing pack to catch the reigning world champions, with McLaren’s Lando Norris starting at the head of that group in third place.
The majority of the F1 paddock sees the Japan race as a place where the true pecking order will be revealed due to Suzuka’s characteristics and demands on the cars.
So, it is going to be the order from when the red flag was shown, but given the top nine were unchanged anyway, but it means Hulkenberg is the biggest winner and starts 10th.
The order for the restart has been given, with Verstappen, Perez, Norris, Sainz, Alonso, Piastri, Hamilton, Leclerc, Russell and Hulkenberg the top 10.
No official word on a restart time or the order they will take, but it is very likely to be another standing start and everyone taking their original grid slots.
It's being suggested that repairs to the tyre barriers could take a minimum of 10-15 minutes. But then add on the warning time given for a restart, and we could be looking at around a half-hour delay here. We'll keep you posted.
Albon had made a decent start, made a move on Stroll and then was squeezed off the track by Ricciardo. That will likely be investigated but it's possible it will be viewed as a racing incident.
The crash came at the first part of The Esses. Ricciardo started 11th on mediums and Albon 14th on softs. Both cars are nose deep in the tyres but both drivers are out and ok.
Everyone is away smoothly, all focused on getting brakes and tyre temperatures into the right area for the start. Verstappen leads the pack back to the starting grid, so we are moments away from the start.
So, Alonso, starting fifth, is the only driver in the top 11 starting on the softs which means he'll be the one to keep an eye on for the opening laps.
Anthem time! A personal favourite for its calmness and serenity and today it is performed by a military band which gives a low key and humble rendition. Very nice. 7/10.
As normal, the world finds out what tyre compound each driver is starting on just a couple of minutes before the formation lap, so that'll be a big clue on each strategy.
In terms of which drivers have what tyres available, there is a split across the grid: Red Bull and Ferrari have two mediums sets and one hard set, while Mercedes and McLaren have two hard sets and one medium set. However, Aston Martin has one hard, one medium and one soft for Alonso.
Let's talk strategy. A two-stop race is effectively nailed on but the tyres to use from start to finish should vary hugely. The likely favourite is starting on softs or mediums and switching to hards for the second stint and then going for another set of hards or a move to the mediums.
The pit exit is closed and all 20 drivers are on the grid with just under 30 minutes until lights out. Plenty of time for a spot of breakfast/lunch/midnight snack (delete as appropriate for your timezone and preference).
To quickly recap yesterday's qualifying action, it largely went to form with a Red Bull front row lockout headed by Verstappen. Then it is a mix of McLaren, Ferrari, Aston Martin and Mercedes cars directly behind, pointing to a competitive contest behind the top two.
Right now the temperature is 22.1 degrees and the track is up to 39.7 degrees. For the track temp, that is around 10 degrees hotter than it has been for most of the weekend, so any teams targeting an aggressive tyre strategy might be literally sweating.
The pitlane is open so the drivers are on their way to the grid. It is a glorious sunny and warm Sunday at Suzuka - much hotter than it has been all weekend - so that is set to play a factor in today's race.
