A series of spins and crashes during the two practice sessions showed Suzuka is tricky enough in dry conditions. But the impending arrival of Typhoon Phanfone remained a cause for concern on the first day of action in Japan.
It was far from the only talking point however. Fernando Alonso’s future remains very much in the spotlight – so much so that even such trivial matters as which team members he offered a bunch of grapes to did not pass without comment.
And Caterham team principal Manfredi Ravetto appeared to have done little to assuage concerns about his team’s financial situation after talking to the media.
Here are the Twitter highlights of an eventful day at Suzuka.
First practice
Three days after his 17th birthday, Max Verstappen became the youngest driver ever to take part in a grand prix weekend – two months younger than the television graphics said he was:
There he is, the youngest #F1 driver #Verstappen pic.twitter.com/l54XaydPtM
— Mattzel89 (@Mattzel89) October 3, 2014
I raise this banner! Allez @Jules_Bianchi !! @ @Marussia_F1Team #JB17 #JapaneseGP pic.twitter.com/WRYXupWVwG
— hlk0703 (@hlk0703) October 3, 2014
Roberto Merhi, driving in FP1 with @CaterhamF1, spins at Spoon #JapaneseGP #F1 pic.twitter.com/L43ITaMlqO
— Formula1.com (@F1) October 3, 2014
Button: "The cockpit's getting very hot by the way, especially on the right side." Was a problem for Magnussen in Singapore. #F1 #JapaneseGP
— F1 Fanatic Live (@f1fanaticlive) October 3, 2014
Fernando Alonso shares a bunch of grapes with his @InsideFerrari mechanics during FP1 #JapaneseGP #F1 pic.twitter.com/osGcunjYwi
— Formula1.com (@F1) October 3, 2014
Crazy that Jenson Button, Kimi Raikkonen and Fernando Alonso have now shared an F1 circuit with both Jos Verstappen and Max Verstappen
— Sean Kelly (@virtualstatman) October 3, 2014
Button giving similar feedback to Magnussen. "Felt like I've got even more understeer in high-speed now." Gone up one turn on front wing.
— F1 Fanatic Live (@f1fanaticlive) October 3, 2014
And you know you're in a grand prix paradise when even the hotel entrance has a racing line… pic.twitter.com/wJrNjsjhmU
— Pirelli Motorsport (@pirellisport) October 3, 2014
"No balance at all" reports Massa. #F1 #JapaneseGP
— F1 Fanatic Live (@f1fanaticlive) October 3, 2014
Verstappen’s session came to an end with a few minutes to spare.
Max Verstappen's debut #F1 session ends prematurely as smoke pours from the back of his @ToroRossoSpy car #JapaneseGP pic.twitter.com/Iz0KQCrfEr
— Formula1.com (@F1) October 3, 2014
Yellow in turn 6 with a @ToroRossoSpy on fire! What's the legal age for smoking?! #JapaneseGP #F1
— MERCEDES AMG F1 (@MercedesAMGF1) October 3, 2014
Before his engine failed, 17-year-old @MaxVerstappen3 did 22 laps with no plagues of frogs or slaying of the first born. #hesyoungdealwithit
— F1 Fanatic (@f1fanatic_co_uk) October 3, 2014
Good FP1. Love driving here in Suzuka, a drivers track! New front wing felt good. Although only used it on old tyres in the end #F12014 #ME9
— Marcus Ericsson (@Ericsson_Marcus) October 3, 2014
Happy boy at the moment :) not bad speed at all :) pic.twitter.com/JmYaPryH7z
— Max Verstappen (@MaxVerstappen3) October 3, 2014
Really cool to see the response everywhere to @MaxVerstappen3 FP F1 debut. And impressive it was indeed! 👍
— Jeroen Bleekemolen (@jbleekemolen) October 3, 2014
Unorthodox FP1 & position for us. Max lost track time due to some precautionary pedal checks. Planned brief runs for Jules & electrical prob
— Manor F1 Team (@ManorF1Team) October 3, 2014
Between practice sessions, Kieran & Tom clean and prep our tyres. #JapaneseGP pic.twitter.com/Olc9ZY1S3H
— McLaren (@McLarenF1) October 3, 2014
Second practice
Reports say the FIA have no plans at this stage to hold the race on Saturday. We'll remind them of that when we're knee deep in water. #F1
— F1 Paddock Pass (@F1PaddockPass) October 3, 2014
The Japanese crowd did not see much of their hero today, as Kamui Kobayashi quickly crashed out of the afternoon session, while Roberto Merhi drove in his car in the morning.
Kamui Kobayashi loses the rear of his @CaterhamF1 CT05 and spins into the S Curve barriers #JapaneseGP #F1 pic.twitter.com/6ZdfD46Cap
— Formula1.com (@F1) October 3, 2014
Sebastian Vettel checked whether his team mate was alright after a crash similar to the season-ending one Timo Glock had had five years beforehand.
Ricciardo has crashed. He says he's OK and climbs out. "Apologies, just lost the rear." #F1 #JapaneseGP pic.twitter.com/cLtjhmSTaZ
— F1 Fanatic Live (@f1fanaticlive) October 3, 2014
Vettel: "Is Daniel OK?"
Rocquelin: "Yeah he's fine, yep." #F1 #JapaneseGP
— F1 Fanatic Live (@f1fanaticlive) October 3, 2014
Some drivers were still having to be reminded their colleagues on the pit wall are no longer allowed to answer all of their questions:
Kvyat: "I think the rain is coming soon."
Hamilton: "How was that first sector?"
Bonnington: "Can't say, Lewis."
#F1 #JapaneseGP
— F1 Fanatic Live (@f1fanaticlive) October 3, 2014
Bottas goes up to second, 0.8 off Hamilton who had a huge moment on his fast run. #F1 #JapaneseGP pic.twitter.com/DyHFjKVuRc
— F1 Fanatic Live (@f1fanaticlive) October 3, 2014
Bottas: "Small drops of rain at turn 14." #F1 #JapaneseGP
— F1 Fanatic Live (@f1fanaticlive) October 3, 2014
Vergne back on track, fishtailing out of the chicane under darkening skies. #F1 #JapaneseGP pic.twitter.com/JI2AvIpxXi
— F1 Fanatic Live (@f1fanaticlive) October 3, 2014
Car 25 stops for the third time today, more problems for Vergne, and the red flags are out again. #F1 #JapaneseGP pic.twitter.com/Vg9JMTSS29
— F1 Fanatic Live (@f1fanaticlive) October 3, 2014
Pits and paddock
A Caterham press conference left more questions than answers about the seriousness of the team’s financial troubles.
Ravetto: "I can't provide you with a guarantee we will survive the rest of the season." #ABCF1 #JapaneseGP #F1
— Box Of Neutrals (@BoxOfNeutrals) October 3, 2014
Caterham's Ravetto insisted not "a single spanner had been taken". Later accepted a test car had gone, a simulator, Japan GP car parts…
— Byron Young (@byronf1) October 3, 2014
..F1 wheels taken by bailiffs, tvs, drill and machining equipment, jacks, pumps, starters (but no spanners..note). That kind of presser #f1
— Byron Young (@byronf1) October 3, 2014
Caterham press conference a frustrating experience of avoided questions and confusion. One thing for sure, the team's been left in a mess.
— The Buxton Blog (@thebuxtonblog) October 3, 2014
The threat posed by Typhoon Phanfone remained a major talking point.
Mmmmm…😨😨 pic.twitter.com/2QE2qE68ir
— Fernando Alonso (@alo_oficial) October 3, 2014
#F1 FIA says there will be no decision today if race will be moved forward. Saturday race is off the table. Start likely stays Sun 3 p.m.
— Tobias Grüner F1 (@tgruener) October 3, 2014
As noted earlier Suzuka promoter Honda does not want a Saturday race, which could lead to refunds for Sunday tickets
— Adam Cooper (@adamcooperF1) October 3, 2014
Breaking news: Lotus F1 Team appoints youngest Team Principal in #F1 history*.
(*Disclaimer: Yes, we are joking.) pic.twitter.com/6kMMVFtzkL
— Lotus F1 Team (@Lotus_F1Team) October 3, 2014
What happens if you race on a proper old school track with less runoff? Driver errors get punished! See #f1 FP2 Suzuka!
— neel jani (@neeljani) October 3, 2014
Fascinating to see Marco Mattiacci and ALO's manager in a lengthy and animated conversation in the paddock. Must be talking about typhoon
— Adam Cooper (@adamcooperF1) October 3, 2014
The floor of the Red Bull, Adrian Newey won't like this shot #JapaneseGP pic.twitter.com/6d3pfoEZBJ
— Mattzel89 (@Mattzel89) October 3, 2014
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2014 Japanese Grand Prix
- Streiff’s comments on Bianchi crash investigation prompts legal action from FIA
- No improvement in Bianchi’s condition
- FIA plans changes after Bianchi crash but report says his speed was to blame
- Bianchi returns to France but condition still “critical”
- Bianchi’s family denies reports of return to Europe
Mashiat
3rd October 2014, 17:38
It has been more or less confirmed that Alonso will be joining McLaren-Honda in 2015. As an Alonso fan, it just seems so surreal and to be honest, I don’t see how it’ll get him a third title. But it’ll be better I guess, than Ferrari. But if Alonso jumps ship and Ferrari are competitive next year, pfft, we’re in for an interesting couple of interviews.
hunocsi (@hunocsi)
3rd October 2014, 20:14
I see it on a few sites that he might swap places with Vettel… There’s a lot of rumors and uncertainty, it will be an interesting few weeks, I would never have thought that before yesterday, I thought the top 6 teams will keep their current lineups for 2015, but nothing is sure now.
rick bradner (@3304hl)
3rd October 2014, 17:41
Does Pirelli have a Typhoon compound???
@HoHum (@hohum)
3rd October 2014, 22:24
Does no-one else find it ridiculous that during practice, when the driver and mechanic are working together to optimise the car for the track, that the mechanic cannot communicate progress to the driver via radio?
I agree with the ban during competition, but practice ?