Formula 1 returns this weekend, but with a slightly different edge.
After a two-week break, the paddock heads to Suzuka for the Japanese Grand Prix, the last race before the enforced April break. It’s the timing that matters. The momentum built here will last longer than usual, while the fights can be intensified towards the break.
As always, Suzuka is a circuit that reveals everything. There is little room to hide here. Balance, rhythm and confidence all come into play and, more often than not, separate those who are ready to battle ahead from those who are still searching for answers.
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These questions are piling up across the gridiron this season. From struggling manufacturers to reliability issues and champions under pressure, there’s plenty going on in Japan.
CAN HONDA AVOID HUMILIATION AT HOME?
It wasn’t supposed to look like this.
With Adrian Newey leading the project, a custom Honda engine, Fernando Alonso in the cockpit and the financial backing of Lawrence Stroll, Aston Martin had all the ingredients of a leading team.
Instead, their start to the season was messy.
Both cars struggled at the rear and neither managed to finish half the race. Reliability was a bigger issue, as severe vibrations from the Honda power unit forced early termination to avoid long-term physical impact on the driver.
Now they arrive at Honda’s home race at Suzuka without a clear solution.
The team insists they are making progress, but with no solution in sight yet, a tough weekend in front of the home fans looks increasingly likely.
WILL ASTON MARTIN’S PAIN GET HAAS?
If Honda’s struggles weren’t painful enough, they are overshadowed by another Japanese presence.
Toyota has quietly built momentum this season thanks to its association with Haas. The standout player was Oliver Bearman, whose performances moved Haas up to fourth in the standings, ahead of the more established teams.
It’s a stark contrast.
Toyota, once criticized for underwhelming results despite heavy investment, now looks efficient and competitive. Honda, on the other hand, addresses familiar issues.
Suzuka thus becomes more than just a race. It is a symbolic battle between two Japanese giants, with the current form clearly favoring Toyota.
MAXIMUM PRESSURE
Max Verstappen is under pressure and it’s starting to show.
His recent frustrations off the track, including a tense media interaction earlier this week, suggest that the usual calm surrounding the four-time world champion is fading. Things weren’t smooth sailing on the track either. Can Verstappen make a comeback in the Japanese GP? (Photo by Reuters)
Bad starts have defined his season so far, putting him on the back foot early in the race. The Red Bull pack itself was not dominant, making the recovery even more difficult.
Still, Suzuka offers a sense of familiarity. It’s a circuit where Verstappen has excelled in the past, including a dominant victory last year.
A fifth win in a row looks unlikely here, but even a podium finish could help stabilize his season and mood.
PAPAYA PROBLEMS
McLaren entered the season with the belief that it would gradually build.
Instead, they barely got going.
The Chinese Grand Prix was low-key, with both cars failing to start due to separate electrical problems. Oscar Piastri is yet to complete a race this season, while defending champion Lando Norris has also been hit by reliability concerns. Oscar Piastri will be looking to make a big impact after fumbling in China. (Photo by Reuters)
There is a belief in the team that they can turn things around. Their recent history suggests that they are capable of exactly that.
But first they need a clean race. Suzuka will test whether these issues are behind them or still unresolved.
SCARLET VS SILVER: SUZUKA SHOWDOWN
The start of the 2026 season was clear.
Mercedes dominated qualifying, taking out the front rows, while Ferrari quickly dropped off the line, creating early battles before Mercedes eventually pulled away.
However, Suzuka changes that equation.
This track puts more emphasis on aerodynamic performance rather than direct engine power and with limited overtaking options, track position becomes critical.
This could bring Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc into tighter contention.
A weather variable has also been added. With the possibility of rain on Sunday, the race could open in an unpredictable manner.
Suzuka rarely disappoints.
With so many storylines converging and the break coming up, this weekend could shape the start of the season. By the time the paddock stops, there may be a clearer sense of who is ready to fight and who still has work to do.
– The end
Issued by:
Debodinna Chakraborty
Published on:
28 March 2026 15:44 IST
