After three years the Japanese F1 GP has finally begun. Additionally, Red Bull Racing’s Max Verstappen became the biggest winner in the championship decision, attracting worldwide attention.
17 of the 22 races scheduled for this season ended in the F1 World Championship, which is held all over the world. Red Bull Racing leads the constructors (team) standings with 13 wins. In addition to supporting the team as a team partner, Honda will provide technical assistance through HRC (Honda Racing) to support the assembly of the powertrain (PU, engine + hybrid mechanism), which is the heart of the car, and its operation at the site of the race ing.
Additionally, with Honda serving as the main sponsor of the Japanese GP, this event is sometimes held as the ‘Honda Japan Grand Prix Race’, making the riders feel like they are in their home race.
“The Japanese GP is really special for me and I can’t wait for it to come every year, but I was very disappointed that I couldn’t come to Japan in the last couple of years, so I’m very happy to meet Japanese fans again. he is very well mannered and sociable, but he is also very enthusiastic about F1. The original cosplay is also interesting and I love it, “said Max Verstappen.
Sergio Perez said: “I am very happy to be back in Japan after 3 years and to meet all the fans. I was looking forward to this Japanese GP because it was a real shame not to be able to celebrate with you.”
Max Verstappen has scored 11 wins so far this season and is the drivers’ champion. Sergio Perez also secured his second win of the season in the previous round, the Singapore GP, and both riders entered the Japanese GP in excellent condition.
“It has been a season with many ups and downs,” said Sergio Pérez.
“After a good start, I needed a few races to get used to the car as it developed. But there are still five races to go and I definitely want to win the Japanese Grand Prix. For Honda, it would be great if we could finish 1-2 in the race. of this weekend “.
Max Verstappen said: “There is a lot of expectation for Suzuka to win the championship, so I will do my best to make it happen. We must have a perfect race weekend, but I will do my best to achieve it. I am confident that I will win the race. Be “
Dream power for F1 drivers
A driver who dreamed of competing on the F1 world stage. First, Sergio Perez has rethought his progress so far.
“When I was 6 I drove a racing kart passed down from my older brother. I was a little older than my brother, so it was a kart that kids over 10 could drive, but it was too big for my little self. (laughs) At first, I couldn’t even imagine doing a time attack. At the time, I couldn’t imagine leaving Mexico to be on the world stage. I would go out and talk about cars with my friends, go karting and then going to play soccer, and it was just a fun day. It really makes me long to have it loaded. “
Sergio Perez grew steadily and became the fifth Mexican F1 driver. He is currently a racing driver who represents his country of origin both in name and in reality.
“There is a legendary Mexican driver, Pedro Rodríguez, who was active in the 1960s. I am deeply moved that I was able to overtake that driver. So I hope more kids will jump into the world of F1 in the future after me. . “
And Max Verstappen, who won the F1 World Champion in the last race of 2021. What emotions do you feel when your dreams come true?
“It was a good feeling when my long cherished dream came true. It was a special feeling because I had achieved a goal I had always wanted to achieve. It may never be lived again,” said Max Verstappen.
“The moment the champion was decided, everything was gratified. And all the memories came back from when I started karting when I was young. It was all related to the dream of becoming an F1 champion. There. It made me cum. want to enjoy the moment. “
And Max Verstappen, who has continued to make good progress this season and is one step closer to becoming champion for the second consecutive year. He will continue to aim for victory eagerly, but says he wants to enjoy it.
“Right now, the whole package, including the car and the PU, is competitive. We can still achieve a lot. I want to continue
“But on the other hand, these days go by so fast that I have to enjoy them. It’s good to be competitive with myself and the car, and I’m heading towards my goals. It’s fun to keep trying.”
Ties to Honda
In 2021 Max Verstappen, who brought the world champion to Honda F1, and Sergio Perez, who supported her. Two people told me about their meeting with Honda.
Sergio Perez said: “When I was a kid, F1 wasn’t that famous in Mexico and I often watched champion car races (currently Indycar). Actually, Adrian, who was fighting champion cars with Honda engines. Fernandez and my dad. they worked together, and since then I have thought Honda was a great company and I have always respected them, so now I can say that working with Honda is a dream come true, maybe, “he says.
“Right now I’m riding a Honda CR-V, but it’s perfect for hanging out with my family. I owned a Honda scooter and gradually rode it with 60cc, 80cc and 125cc displacements. After that, he lent me an NSX for a year. , but I returned it because it was too flashy for a car I haven’t driven much in Mexico (laughs). “
And the meeting between Max Verstappen and Honda seems destined.
“I think I’m three years old and I’ve been in a Honda F1 ever since!” Says Verstappen.
In March 1998, Honda aimed to participate in F1 as a manufacturer that also produced cars, but at that time “RA099” was produced as a test car. The test driver was Max Verstappen’s father, Jos Verstappen. There is a photo of a young Max Verstappen in the cockpit of the RA099 that accompanied the test. After more than 20 years, this guy has won the championship with the Honda F1 PU.
Max Verstappen said: “I don’t have many memories of that time, but Honda was preparing a car for the 2000 race. It was a nice car and I still think it’s a great racing car,” he says.
As a driver who from childhood aimed to become an F1 driver, how do you see Honda in your work?
Sergio Perez commented: “Honda is very dedicated to their work. Every day everyone is doing their best to improve the PU”.
“This is a great honor and I’m really happy to be able to race with a PU like that. If you tell the team something about the PU, Honda will improve it and it’s a great team effort.”
“For example, at the Singapore GP last week it was very hot and humid, and at the beginning of the race week we had driveability problems (easy engine handling), but adjustments were made before the race. It’s easier. fight and I hope this relationship will last for many years. “
“PU is by far the best,” says Max Verstappen.
“So far I have been on F1 cars with five engine brands, but the sound of the Honda engine is completely different. This year we have even higher top speeds, but we can race with these engines. The reason is that the Honda staff is doing your best “.
“They have been very useful in our battles on the track and have shown their strength in overtaking. The bond between us and Honda is very strong and I think we have reached an even higher level this year. I am happy that we can win the races. races together and obviously I want to win the championship ”.
Prior to the Japanese F1 GP, Honda announced that it would strengthen its partnership with the Red Bull Group with the aim of further developing motorsports. Sergio Perez has been appointed ambassador of the Honda Racing School and will participate as an F1 driver in the “Honda Racing THANKS DAY 2022” to be held on Sunday 27 November.
In addition, as a symbol of the strong bond between Honda and the Red Bull Group, the Honda logo will be displayed on the Red Bull Racing and Scuderia AlphaTauri cars, which will compete with PUs that use the same Honda technology, starting with this end race. week. there is
Category: F1 / honda f1 / Red Bull / F1 Japanese GP / Sergio Perez / Max Verstappen
