Japan is always one of the drivers’ favourite countries to visit, with Suzuka being an incredibly popular ciruit to boot. But along with the racing, there is always plenty going on off-track too. Here is all the best social media you might have missed from the Japanese Grand Prix…
The music scene
Austin normally offers the best music scene on the calendar, but Suzuka delivered some pretty interesting vibes of its own. From a Lando Norris/Red Bull boyband mash up, to Valtteri Bottas leaning into the very in vogue country and western scene, there was plenty of interesting musical interludes in Japan.
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Foodie fans
The fans here are something else, bringing the drivers all manner of gifts. From crocheted figurines, to flags, from headgear to models, the drivers always pack an empty suitcase to take home their many presents.
READ MORE: 5 Winners and 5 Losers from Japan – Who tasted success in Suzuka?
But the mechanics down at Haas didn’t need an empty suitcase so much as an empty stomach to work their way through their very own brand of delicious snacks.
More on-track action
Esteban Ocon and Oscar Piastri turned back into big kids – assuming they ever really grew out of being kids in the first place – as they got to have a go at driving some remote control cars around the Suzuka track.
They might not have the downforce of an F1 car, but that didn’t stop our resident drivers getting their elbows out and going full send in miniature.
Education comes first
This fan might get into some hot water when they go back to school, but surely their teacher will forgive them. Especially considering they witnessed all sorts of strategy calls, which required great mental dexterity to keep track of.
Not to mention adding up the pit stop times, keeping an eye on the engineers and learning about thermal tyre degradation. F1 on Sunday was about as educational as it gets.
The iconic pose
George Russell was happy to poke fun of himself on stage on Saturday, as Mercedes invited a young fan up to meet their drivers. Russell managed to replicate his now iconic opening sequence pose from 2023 with a little assistance from his young friend, with Lewis Hamilton making sure he was on hand to record every moment.
READ MORE: What the teams said – Race day in Japan
Another year older…
… But is he any wiser?! Oscar Piastri celebrated his 23rd birthday in the paddock on Saturday, with most agreeing that getting to drive an F1 car at Suzuka flat out with no fuel in qualifying quantifies as an excellent birthday.
He even managed to give the teams some points on Sunday, with the team’s present to him really being a car that is capable of fighting for said points.
News Summary:
- ICYMI: Birthday cakes, boybands and incredible fans – it’s the best social media from Japan
- Check all news and articles from the latest Cricket updates.