2019 Japanese Grand Prix
In a weekend interrupted by typhoon hagibis, the 2019 Japanese Grand prix found both qualifying and the race on the same day. Qualifying was dry and sunny but plagued with high winds.
During qualifying Kevin Magunssen was struck by a tailwind and found himself into the grass and spinning. The damage to his car seemed mostly cosmetic but he did start the race at the back of the pack since he did not post a qualifying time and the team had to change a gear box.
Romain Grosjean had a very good qualifying session. The flying Frenchman mad his way into the third round of qualifying yet started in the 10th position.
At the race start Magnussen jumped 6 positions to P13 and Grosjean dropped 4 positions just behind his teammate to 14th.
The Ferrari’s of Vettel and Leclerc locked out the first row with the German taking pole and his teammate in 2nd position. Vettel did not get a good start and both Ferrari’s were jumped by the Mercedes of Valtteri Bottas. Leclerc tried found himself behind Verstappen’s Redbull by turn two. Leclerc tried to regain that spot at the inside of turn two and, forcing off the Redbull of Verstappen. Leclerc was forced to pit and change his front wing.
By lap 11 of the 53 lap race Magnussen was leading the two Haas cars were running 12th and 13th. But on lap 18 and 19 the two Haas cars pitted. Both cars were fitted with hard tires. We’re not sure which one stopped first. But fast forward to lap 22 and Grosjean was down to 15th and Magnussen was down to 18th.
After more midfield pitting in what appears will be a three stop race, lap 29, Grosjean P12, Magnussen P15.
With 10 laps remaining the Haas cars are running Grosjean 14th and Magnussen 16th.
Mercedes Finished first and third with Bottas taking the win and the Ferrari of Vettel splitting the Silver Arrows and taking second position. But with that finish Mercedes has clinched the 2019 constructors championship and their 6th in a row.