F1 fantasy 2024

Formula One World Championship 2024.

Round 1- Japanese Grand Prix [SuperRing Circuit]

Formula One entered another season, this time starting in Toki, Japan. This new high-speed circuit, called the SuperRing, had a mix of mainly fast flowing corners. It would test the drivers talent as in the first practice session to kick off the campaign, home hero Yuki Tsunoda shunted his RB into the tire barriers in the quick, curved turn 19. He lost control, spun out and flipped multiple times, even going over the barrier. The red flag was shown and the practice session was ended from there. Verstappen, the defending champion, topped the timing boards with a 1.29.043. Daniel Ricciardo for RB was P2, and as mentioned, Yuki P3. Rain came abroad in FP2, which halted the session after only 30 minutes. At the end of that session however, it was Verstappen’s teammate, Sergio Perez in P1. The two Ferrari’s of Leclerc and Sainz were right behind in P2 & P3. Finally, in FP3, Perez was fastest again, as Max was only P15 after mechanical issues. Alonso showed the dark green Aston Martin was a force to reckoned with, finishing the session 2nd. Only 1 tenth behind Perez. Leclerc ended the session in P3. The next day was qualifying day, just coming after a hellish rain shower. The track was semi-wet, with the skies heavily cloudy and hazy, starting around 15:00 track time. Max Verstappen picked up where he left off, topping Q1. In that session, Pierre Gasly was surprisingly eliminated from qualifying, showing the Alpine had zero pace all weekend. He was in the ladder half of the timing charts in the practice sessions. Tsunoda was actually quickest in Q2, pushing his car to the limits. In Q3 however, Max took an easy pole position. A lap consisting of a 1.28.777. Lando Norris shocked the grid by getting a front row in the McLaren. His teammate, in his sophomore season, Oscar Piastri was P3, right behind. Just like Britain 2023. Alonso showed up quick, getting P4 in the Aston. Perez spun off into the gravel during Q2 and couldn’t make another lap, placing him 11th, as Lewis Hamilton would be right behind him in P12 due to a lack of pace during the session. Alex Albon in the Williams fought his car hard through the corners and was P9.

Starting Grid: VER- NOR- PIA- ALO- LEC- STR- SAI- RUS- ALB- TSU.