Unsurprisingly, today’s talk at Suzuka was dominated by the news on the 2015 driver market.
Sebastian Vettel’s departure from Red Bull, Daniil Kvyat’s promotion, and rumours of where Fernando Alonso’s heading were the major talking points. But at the end of the day thoughts returned to the ominous weather forecast for tomorrow.
Here’s the story of Saturday at the Japanese Grand Prix on Twitter.
Vettel leaves Red Bull
Before final practice began, Red Bull surprised the Formula One world with the news of Vettel’s impending departure.
BOOM! VETTEL TO LEAVE RED BULL!! KVYAT IN!
— Anthony Rowlinson (@Rowlinson_F1) October 4, 2014
I keep thinking back to the look in Vettel’s eye (atop the Monza podium) when Alonso was showing him the massed scarlet ranks of the tifosi.
— Steve Matchett (@MrSteveMatchett) October 4, 2014
All credit to Red Bull for backing their junior programme. @Dany_Kvyat has had an excellent rookie season.
— Edd Straw (@eddstrawF1) October 4, 2014
Christian Horner makes it clear that VET is indeed going to Ferrari
— Adam Cooper (@adamcooperF1) October 4, 2014
No hard feelings at @redbullracing, as Vettel chats with Horner and Marko ahead of FP3 #JapaneseGP #F1 pic.twitter.com/08ZWkZCTxw
— Formula1.com (@F1) October 4, 2014
With Vettel at Ferrari, Alonso can only go to McLaren. Mercedes keep Hamilton/Rosberg. ALO could even take a year out with a 2016 contract
— Martin Brundle (@MBrundleF1) October 4, 2014
Doesn’t look particularly good for Vettel. This is the first hard season he’s had at Red Bull and he’s straight out of the door. #f1
— Byron Young (@byronf1) October 4, 2014
Apparently Vettel was contractually free to walk away from Red Bull because he was outside the top three as of September 30
— Adam Cooper (@adamcooperF1) October 4, 2014
Seb VETTEL has no manager and obviously doesn’t need one, having demonstrated world championship capability in both wheeling and dealing.
— Gerald Donaldson (@f1speedreader) October 4, 2014
Great strategy from Red Bull to get the Vettel news out ASAP this morning. Making life uncomfortable for other affected parties! #F1
— Glenn Freeman (@glenn_autosport) October 4, 2014
@willbuxton Don't you mean it's caught you lot out??
— Alan Permane (@AlanPermane) October 4, 2014
Red Bull no longer playing down the fact that Ricciardo has the edge on Vettel this year. Funny that. #F1
— Glenn Freeman (@glenn_autosport) October 4, 2014
What great news to wake up too! Reigning #GP3 Champion @Dany_Kvyat will drive for @redbullracing next season! Congrats champ :-) #F1
— GP3 Series Official (@GP3_Official) October 4, 2014
Vettel explains to the media his decision to leave Red Bull Racing. #F1 pic.twitter.com/hsjKeslrNk
— James Moy (@jamesmoy) October 4, 2014
Today’s been one of those ‘Wow’ moments in #F1. The whole world was watching ALO, waiting for news, then VET pops up with a bombshell.
— Marc Priestley (@f1elvis) October 4, 2014
Horner got a text after dinner last night from Seb saying “can I see you in my room” That’s when he told Horner he was leaving. #skyf1
— Rachel Brookes (@RachelBrookesTV) October 4, 2014
21:45 in the Suzuka Circuit Hotel – the text message Vettel sent to Christian Horner which left the RB boss certain he was off to Ferrari.
— Daniel Johnson (@danielt_johnson) October 4, 2014
Great insight into how Vettel broke the news of his departure from Red Bull. Apparently he was in tears when he told Christian Horner.
— Ben Hunt (@benjhunt) October 4, 2014
The awesome moment Massa crashed our Alonso interview. http://t.co/VPiUD1dlQ7
— Will Buxton (@willbuxton) October 4, 2014
Oops: @F1 hurriedly delete a tweet claiming Vettel will drive for Ferrari next year… #F1 #JapaneseGP
— F1 Fanatic (@f1fanatic_co_uk) October 4, 2014
Third practice
Track action, especially in the morning session, was somewhat overlooked given the day’s developments.
Esteban Gutierrez of @SauberF1Team has a massive moment but avoids the barriers at 130R #JapaneseGP #F1 pic.twitter.com/L3xwaBJQQI
— Formula1.com (@F1) October 4, 2014
Stella to Alonso: “Just to confirm there is absolutely nobody behind you.” #F1 #JapaneseGP
— F1 Fanatic Live (@f1fanaticlive) October 4, 2014
Matassa: “Happy to box?” Kvyat: “Yes I am.” Suspect he was already pretty happy when he go in the car… #F1 #JapaneseGP
— F1 Fanatic Live (@f1fanaticlive) October 4, 2014
Don’t think I’ve ever seen a media centre pay less attention to a practice session.
— Will Buxton (@willbuxton) October 4, 2014
Hamilton skates off at turn one and is into the barrier! #F1 #JapaneseGP pic.twitter.com/eRzxFy2dd1
— F1 Fanatic Live (@f1fanaticlive) October 4, 2014
I didn't think screens were allowed at GPs, hiding the Merc gearbox in a gearbox cartridge concept "@AlbertFabrega: pic.twitter.com/XOSqr0NZjm"
— Craig Scarborough (@ScarbsF1) October 4, 2014
Qualifying
The @MercedesAMGF1 crew are hard at work repairing Lewis Hamilton’s car ahead of #Qualifying #JapaneseGP #F1 pic.twitter.com/AgJRxf3ySd
— Formula1.com (@F1) October 4, 2014
Good old Suzuka. #propercircuit #F1 #JapaneseGP pic.twitter.com/l7IbVax0Qa
— F1 Fanatic (@f1fanatic_co_uk) October 4, 2014
There was a lot of bunching up at the chicane as drivers prepared for their final attempts in Q2.
Kvyat: “They were going so slow that I was catching anti-stall, it’s unbeliable.” #F1 #JapaneseGP
— F1 Fanatic Live (@f1fanaticlive) October 4, 2014
With rain expected in the race, Red Bull focused on Sunday performance.
Christian Horner confirms to Sky that RBR has moved towards a wet set-up for today, so the car is slower on the straights than usual
— Adam Cooper (@adamcooperF1) October 4, 2014
Hamilton: “Back of my seat is getting a bit warm.” #F1 #JapaneseGP
— F1 Fanatic Live (@f1fanaticlive) October 4, 2014
Alonso has outqualified both Ferrari drivers.
— Pablo Elizalde (@EliGP) October 4, 2014
Front row lock-out,#F1 silly season in full swing, typhoon on the way… again, someone tell us this sport is boring! pic.twitter.com/aZx5fJ8P3P
— MERCEDES AMG F1 (@MercedesAMGF1) October 4, 2014
Finally a good Q session! Our strong weekend continues. Felt good to beat both marussias and KOB. Now… http://t.co/3xIuUDpNDW
— Marcus Ericsson (@Ericsson_Marcus) October 4, 2014
Pits and paddock
Lady in a wedding dress lapping Suzuka standing up in an NSX. 2nd weirdest thing Spy’s seen this morning. #JapaneseGP pic.twitter.com/pj6Wopuuq6
— Red Bull Racing Spy (@redbullf1spy) October 4, 2014
Only @SauberF1Team knows what's really important this weekend!!! pic.twitter.com/HaCuc9FoGX
— Nicola Pohl (@NicolaBILD) October 4, 2014
Japanese fans really are some of the most dedicated around. 6pm and the stands are still full. #JapaneseGP pic.twitter.com/UwS4bRn45g
— WILLIAMS RACING (@WilliamsRacing) October 4, 2014
Lots of action around the paddock today, nearly more than on track. Qualy was tough for us but if it rains we should be better for the race
— Daniel Ricciardo (@danielricciardo) October 4, 2014
Suzuka forecast 100% rain from 9am to 6pm Common sense would have said race today – the money grabbers that run the sport say farce tomorrow
— Tiff Needell (@tiff_tv) October 4, 2014
Check this out #f1 – UBIMET Path of Typhoon Phanfone and timings relative to #JapaneseGP – it’s gonna be tight! pic.twitter.com/mWhx6xqoAJ
— James Allen (@Jamesallenonf1) October 4, 2014
Meet the team chaired by Ron Dennis. For some reason we have a lot of people here ! pic.twitter.com/wHQ3z7M60T
— michael collier (@mikeycollier) October 4, 2014
Today has been a very strange day for me…..
— Stu Jones (@stujones55) October 4, 2014
Lovely sunset over Suzuka tonight, though everyone is asking what the skies will bring for the #JapaneseGP tomorrow pic.twitter.com/uu21hNM4eM
— Lotus F1 Team (@Lotus_F1Team) October 4, 2014
Much trepidation as the Paddock braces itself for #Phanfone, but racing aside we have everything crossed for Japan over the coming days 🇯🇵 🙏
— Manor F1 Team (@ManorF1Team) October 4, 2014
(EDITOR'S NOTICE: No Photoshop filters or any other dodgy tools have been used in creation of this image) #JapaneseGP pic.twitter.com/Ke7fjzPfg9
— Vladimir Rys (@vladimirrys) October 4, 2014
F1 Fanatic on Twitter
F1 Fanatic has three Twitter accounts you can follow:
- F1 Fanatic: F1 Tweets straight from the editor including links to all new articles
- F1 Fanatic Live: Live F1 session coverage including team radio
- F1 Fanatic Update: Just links to new articles on F1 Fanatic – nothing else
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
Image © Red Bull/Getty
HK (@me4me)
4th October 2014, 16:30
That tweet from Mercedes sums it up really. Epic race track, epic silly-season, a massive storm on it’s way and a battle between team-mates for the win. Tomorrow may only be about half-points if the rains pours down, but it beats the hell out of Abu Dhabi aka Abu-Double!
hunocsi (@hunocsi)
4th October 2014, 17:58
Japanese fans really are some of the most dedicated around. 6pm and the stands are still full.
I hope they will have the sense to go home in time tomorrow for their own sake.
PorscheF1 (@xtwl)
4th October 2014, 21:30
@hunocsi Although it must be said that you can replace ‘Japanese’ in that tweet by Belgian, Italian, British aswell…
hunocsi (@hunocsi)
4th October 2014, 21:35
True, I just wanted to quote the Williams tweet, but I guess the tags weren’t working.
hunocsi (@hunocsi)
4th October 2014, 21:35
@xtwl
@HoHum (@hohum)
5th October 2014, 1:30
@keithcollantine, F1.com no doubt know exactly what is happening, Bernie probably conceived and brokered the whole deal, for the “good of the show” I’m sure.