The Japanese Grand Prix at Suzuka in 2022 delivered an unforgettable spectacle, featuring a vintage battle between two titans of Formula 1: Sebastian Vettel and Fernando Alonso. This intense duel, potentially one of their last on track as rivals competing for championship points, captivated fans and showcased the strategic brilliance and raw competitive spirit that has defined their careers spanning over a decade. What unfolded was a masterclass in risk-taking, tire management, and sheer driving prowess, all set against a backdrop of unpredictable weather and perplexing race regulations.
Alonso, a relentless competitor, subjected his fellow multiple world champion to immense pressure for lap after lap. His strategic mind was already turning towards a daring late pit stop, a gamble to equip his Alpine with fresher tires for a final charge. This decision would set the stage for a breathtaking conclusion. The two veterans found themselves commencing the final lap mere inches apart, nose-to-tail, pushing their machines to the absolute limit. However, a cloud of confusion hung over their teams, as uncertainty regarding the exact race distance meant even they weren’t entirely sure if the chequered flag would be waved after the current lap.
The dramatic narrative of their race began right at the original start. Vettel, displaying characteristic aggression, launched his Aston Martin from ninth on the grid with a fantastic getaway. Yet, in a bold attempt to overtake Alonso on the outside of the challenging first corner, he skidded off. Miraculously, the four-time world champion managed to recover without making contact with the barriers or other cars, but the excursion cost him dearly, dropping him to a lowly 16th place. This early setback, however, proved to be the catalyst for one of the most inspired strategic gambles of the season, laying the groundwork for his remarkable recovery following the two-hour red flag stoppage caused by the torrential rain.
Unraveling the Strategy: Alonso and Vettel’s Japanese Grand Prix Radio Messages
Before the cars were sent back out onto the sodden Suzuka circuit to resume the race, drivers and their teams were given a crucial briefing on the revised conditions and regulations. For Sebastian Vettel and Aston Martin, the primary concern was the race distance and the impact on points. With only approximately 45 minutes of racing time remaining, the team initially anticipated that the event would not run long enough for full championship points to be awarded. This miscalculation by the FIA, which later controversially awarded full points despite only 52% of the race distance being completed, added another layer of complexity to the strategic decisions being made.
Vettel’s race engineer, Chris Cronin, informed him that he would likely need to finish at least ninth position to score any points, based on their understanding that no more than 50% of the race distance would be completed. This initial guidance shaped Vettel’s aggressive approach to the restart, knowing that every position gained would be critical. The radio communications highlight the uncertainty and pressure on the teams to make quick, impactful decisions under highly dynamic circumstances.
| Lap: 3/28 | |||
| Cronin | So we’re going to start running and we’re probably about 26, 25 laps, including the safety Car laps. So just so you’ve got that in mind each Safety Car lap will knock a lap off of racing from there. And because of the points the way it is this year, you actually have to, at the moment, get up to P9 to get points. I’ll keep you updated on that as we go. We don’t expect any more heavy rain between now and the end of the race. | ||
| Vettel | Okay. And we start behind the safety car. | ||
| Cronin | Correct. | ||
| Vettel | And we do have to start on extremes. | ||
| Cronin | Correct. | ||
| Vettel | And it will be a rolling start. | ||
| Cronin | That is not confirmed. Yeah, that’s not confirmed. | ||
| Vettel | Yeah, copy. | ||
| Cronin | And again, even if it’s a standing start and you decide to go to inters, we can change tyres straight away and send you down to the end of the pit lane and you’ll just get released when the Safety Car’s passed. | ||
| Cronin | So it is a rolling start, confirmed it will be a rolling start. | ||
The rules mandated that all drivers commence the restarted race circulating behind the Safety Car on full wet weather tires. Vettel, however, had been given a critical piece of advice: he could follow the Safety Car straight into the pits before the restart if he judged the conditions were sufficiently improved to switch to intermediate tires. This option presented a significant strategic opportunity, but also considerable risk. Committing to intermediates too early could be disastrous if the rain intensified, while waiting too long would mean missing a golden chance to gain ground. It was a high-stakes decision, one that would define the rest of his race.
| Lap: 4/28 | |||
| Alonso | Rolling start? | Cronin | So Safety Car will enter the pits this lap. |
| Loos | Affirm. So yeah lights are out on the safety car so it’ll be rolling start procedure. | Vettel | Copy. |
| Cronin | It will be a rolling… | ||
| Vettel | What’s the weather forecast? | ||
| Cronin | So we think this intensity until the end of the race. A little bit very light rain like this until the end of the race. | ||
| Vettel | How many laps is the race? | ||
| Cronin | About 22 – 21, 22. You can reset your brake balance before the restart. | ||
As the Safety Car prepared to return to the pits, Vettel confirmed his intention to pit, indicating he desired a slight reduction in his front wing angle to optimize the car for intermediate conditions. He then headed directly for the pit lane as the race officially restarted. Meanwhile, Fernando Alonso, positioned ten places ahead of Vettel in the queue, enquired whether he should stay out. He was instructed to remain on track, a decision that would initially seem conservative but was fraught with its own set of challenges and opportunities.
| Lap: 5/28 | |||
| Loos | Okay so for info our safety car window will be open after the restart. | Vettel | I think I need a quarter to half a degree less. |
| Alonso | Okay. Stay out? | Vettel | Yep, yep, yep. |
| Loos | Affirm. | Cronin | Copy, Sebastian, copy. So we’ll be go one for the restart. We’ll be go one for the restart. You’re still plus one in your brake balance. We’re happy with that. |
| Loos | Just a reminder, no overtaking until the control line please, no overtaking until the control line. Recharge off. Okay so only Vettel and Latifi stopped for intermediates. Will keep you posted. | Cronin | Tyre to green inter, tyre to green inter. Green box. |
| Cronin | You’ve got a Williams next to you on your outside, on your left. It’s Latifi. | ||
Vettel’s audacious decision to pit simultaneously with Nicholas Latifi for intermediate tires paid immediate dividends. He managed to gain a crucial position over Latifi in the pit lane. The sheer pace demonstrated by both Vettel and Latifi on their new intermediate tires sent shockwaves through the paddock. Other teams, witnessing the dramatic lap time advantage, quickly realized their mistake and scrambled to bring their own drivers in for tire changes. This mass pit stop created a chaotic yet thrilling dynamic, as teams desperately tried to minimize the time loss associated with the tire switch. However, for Alpine and Mercedes, a dilemma arose.
Alonso found himself two places behind his Alpine teammate, Esteban Ocon. A double-stack pit stop – bringing both cars in on the same lap – would inevitably cost the second car valuable time while waiting for the first car to be serviced. Mercedes faced this exact predicament, opting to bring both George Russell and Lewis Hamilton in on the same lap, which saw Russell lose significant time as Hamilton’s car was attended to first. Alpine, however, chose a different path, prioritizing Ocon and leaving Alonso out on his full wets for an additional lap, hoping for a clearer pit window or a change in conditions.
| Lap: 6/28 | |||
| Alonso | Where is Russell? | Cronin | If you want more front end, you can go down on the tool switch. |
| Loos | Russell 2.2 seconds behind. | Cronin | The back of the pack is 24 seconds ahead. |
| Alonso | What’s the plan? | Cronin | Two cars in the pits, Norris and Bottas. Two cars pitted, everyone else is still on the wets. Norris has gone out now. |
| Loos | At the moment, the intermediate does look the quicker tyre. At the moment, a double-stop would delay you. | ||
| Alonso | Yeah, I know that. | ||
Alpine eventually brought Alonso in on the following lap, a move that would prove critical but also lead to later frustrations. While Alonso was finally getting onto the quicker intermediate tires, Aston Martin was keenly urging Vettel to maintain his blistering pace. Their objective was clear: maximize the advantage gained from other teams’ delays and the strategic missteps of those who had stayed out on full wets for too long. Vettel, now with clear track ahead and on the optimal tire, was rapidly climbing through the field, making up for his earlier error.
| Lap: 7/28 | |||
| Loos | Russell three seconds behind. Do one more lap, please. Okay so boxing this lap, boxing this lap for intermediates. And remember… | Cronin | There will be a busy pit lane. We think maybe right toggle for turn one, two just for protecting the front. |
| Cronin | So there will be people coming out of the pit lane. Use energy if you need it. | ||
| Cronin | So the three cars ahead of you are Hamilton, Ocon, Perez, they’ve all just come out of the pits. You’ve still got Latifi behind you. | ||
| Cronin | You’re P10 at the moment. There’s four cars ahead of you that haven’t pitted. Alonso is right in our window. | ||
| Lap: 8/28 | |||
| Alonso | Copy. | Cronin | So we think it’s about 16 or 17 laps. Just look after the front. Use your torque switch to protect the front. |
| Loos | Go tyre intermediate before you stop please. So boxing this lap. | Cronin | You’ve got lots of energy if you need it. Alonso is coming out of the pit lane now. |
| Loos | So we’ll be close with other cars on pit exit. | ||
| Loos | Okay so Vettel the car ahead Latifi car behind. So their tyres are probably a bit hotter than yours, but still try to bring them in as sensible as possible, please. | ||
During the lap he finally came into the pits, Alonso inadvertently cut across the chicane. This was a critical moment, as he had previously been penalized in the Miami Grand Prix for a similar infringement, gaining an advantage by cutting the corner. On this occasion, however, Alonso immediately communicated to his team that he had consciously lifted off the throttle at the pit lane exit to ensure he did not benefit from his momentary deviation. While he did gain a position over the delayed Russell, as did several other drivers caught in the pit stop shuffle, he wasn’t able to keep Sebastian Vettel behind him. Vettel’s earlier gamble had placed him in a commanding position relative to Alonso.
| Lap: 9/28 | |||
| Alonso | I missed the last corner and then I lift off on the pit exit just to not gain any advantage. | Cronin | So we’ve got probably 18 laps to go, 18. So it’ll be about looking after the fronts, using your switches. |
| Loos | Yeah copy that. So car behind is Latifi and then one second behind Latifi is Norris. | ||
| Alonso | Yeah, tell me [unclear] because I cannot see much. | ||
| Loos | Copy, Latifi 0.6 behind at the moment. | ||
| Loos | Latifi one and a half seconds behind now. | ||
As the race progressed and drivers who had stubbornly clung to their full wet tires – perhaps holding out for more rain or another Safety Car period – finally conceded defeat and pitted, Vettel’s earlier gamble shone brightly. He had skillfully picked up an incredible ten places, transforming his starting position into a strong points-scoring opportunity. The decision to immediately switch to intermediates, a move that initially seemed risky given the lingering wetness, was now proving to be a stroke of strategic genius. He had carved through the field, showcasing not only his driving talent but also his keen understanding of fluctuating track conditions.
| Lap: 10/28 | |||
| Loos | And gap to Vettel is 3 seconds. | Cronin | Sebastian, car ahead is Schumacher, still on wets. Schumacher still on wets. He’s dropping back. Just be careful with him. |
| Loos | Okay so ahead Vettel held up by Schumacher who is still out on extreme wets. Latifi 1.2 behind. | ||
| Loos | Okay just for info Esteban’s last lap was 48.1, mainly gaining in turn three, four and 15. Let’s be sensible with the front. Still expect about 17 laps. | ||
| Lap: 11/28 | |||
| Loos | Okay behind Latifi lost a bit of time behind Schumacher. | Cronin | Okay Sebastian you’re P6 at the moment, P6. Got Alonso 1.6 behind. Hamilton 6.5 ahead. |
With more than half an hour of intense racing still ahead, the challenge for the drivers shifted from outright speed to meticulous tire management. The Suzuka circuit, known for its high-speed corners and demanding layout, is particularly punishing on tires, especially as the track began to dry. Drivers had to carefully nurse their intermediate tires, balancing aggression with preservation to ensure they would last the entire distance without degrading too severely. This delicate act of managing wear and maintaining performance became a central theme of the mid-race strategy, with teams constantly monitoring tire temperatures and advising drivers on subtle adjustments to their driving style and car settings.
| Lap: 12/28 | |||
| Loos | So gap to Latifi behind is now three seconds. Currently you’re P7. | Cronin | Consider one click forward on brake balance for the chicane now. |
| Loos | Quite a few other drivers complaining about the fronts now. You’re doing a good job in the high speed. Watch out over slipping in low-speed apex. | Cronin | You’ve got the right toggle on the whole lap. We think down on the torque switch to turn the diff open off, and then back on again. |
| Lap: 13/28 | |||
| Loos | So looks like everyone is trying to manage this situation with the front tyres and trying to go to the end. At the end of this lap expect about 15 laps remaining. And for info lap times are looking good. | Cronin | Okay Sebastian you’re doing basically the same lap time as Ocon and Hamilton ahead, as well as Alonso behind. Latifi behind him is dropping back a bit. |
| Cronin | We think 16 laps to go, 16. Alonso 1.1 behind. | ||
| Lap: 14/28 | |||
| Cronin | Turn 11, just be careful with the hand brake. You’re right on the limit of rear locking with the hand brake. Alonso 1.2 behind, Hamilton 6 ahead. | ||
| Cronin | Alonso 0.8 behind. Hamilton 5.9 ahead. Alonso 0.7 behind. | ||
As the laps ticked by, it became increasingly apparent to Fernando Alonso that overtaking Sebastian Vettel on track was going to be an exceptionally difficult, if not impossible, task. Vettel’s defensive driving, combined with the characteristics of the Aston Martin on a drying track, made any direct attack incredibly challenging. As early as lap 15, Alonso began to press his Alpine team, urging them to seriously consider a second pit stop. His rationale was clear: with fresher rubber, he could unleash an aggressive attack and potentially close the gap to Vettel, making up for the time lost in the pit lane. This suggestion marked a pivotal strategic divergence, highlighting Alonso’s bold, proactive approach to racing.
| Lap: 15/28 | |||
| Loos | So 14 laps to go. | Cronin | Alonso 0.6 behind. Potentially a bit more rain, 10 minutes. |
| Alonso | Yeah. It will be better not to stop? | ||
| Loos | Yeah, we’re looking at our options mate. At the moment everyone’s weapons are dropping. You’re still one of the better ones out there. Verstappen doing 47.4, for info. | ||
| Alonso | Yeah obviously I will drive very differently. | ||
| Loos | Okay understood. | ||
| Alonso | I don’t know how aggressive I can be to attack him. | ||
| Lap: 16/28 | |||
| Loos | Yeah understood. At the moment a normal stop is not a good idea. It drops you in a lot of traffic. 13 laps to go. Safety Car window is open. Safety Car window is open. | Cronin | Hamilton 5.7, Alonso 1.1. |
| Cronin | So 13 laps to go, 13. Alonso 0.9 behind. If you can, cool the tyres where you can, cool the tyres. | ||
| Lap: 17/28 | |||
| Loos | And you’ve got torque three available, torque three. | Cronin | Alonso 0.6 behind. You can go down on the torque switch. Alonso 0.3. |
| Alonso | Yeah, a lot more pace, mate. | ||
| Loos | Yeah copy that. | ||
Alpine’s strategists were closely monitoring Alonso’s position relative to the cars behind him, particularly Lando Norris, George Russell, and Nicholas Latifi. Their concern was palpable: they did not want Alonso to drop behind Norris, as McLaren was Alpine’s primary rival in the constructors’ championship battle for fourth place. A poorly timed second stop could jeopardize valuable points in that crucial fight. This caution led to a delay in responding to Alonso’s increasingly urgent requests for a tire change, as they meticulously calculated the risk-reward of such a bold move. Meanwhile, on the Aston Martin pit wall, they prepared for all eventualities, even discussing potential aero balance changes should Vettel need another set of intermediates.
| Lap: 18/28 | |||
| Loos | 11 laps to go. Okay so Zhou just stopped for a new set of intermediates that might trigger a few other cars to stop. I’ll keep you posted on that. At the moment staying out. You can press the overtake once before turn 15 before you lift. | Cronin | Just to cover – Alonso is 0.9 behind, you’re okay there – would you take more aero balance if we had to take another set of inters? |
| Vettel | Yes. More aero balance. | ||
| Lap: 19/28 | |||
| Loos | Nine laps to go. | Cronin | Alonso’s 0.9. Zhou from the back has pitted for another set of inters so we’ll keep an eye on him. Alonso still 0.8 behind. |
| Alonso | Yeah. I don’t know, mate. I cannot pass. | Cronin | Alonso 1.0. |
| Lap: 20/28 | |||
| Loos | So the car behind you now is Russell. He’s still nine seconds behind you. He has clear air and his last lap was a 47.6. | Cronin | Alonso’s 1.6 behind now. |
| Alonso | I don’t know. What do you want to do? How many places we will lose? | Cronin | So it’s between eight or nine laps, it’s right on the bubble. Alonso 1 behind. |
| Vettel | Seem to have lost radio. | ||
| Cronin | I could hear you then, I could hear you then. So repeat your message. Alonso is 1.4 behind. Can you hear me? | ||
Fernando Alonso’s persistence on the radio continued, as he actively tried to persuade his Alpine team to commit to a second pit stop. However, the team remained cautious, still lacking the comfortable gap over Norris that they desired for such a risky strategic call. Every second counted in the Constructors’ Championship, and the fear of falling behind their rivals was a significant deterrent. This internal debate highlighted the tension between a driver’s instinct for attack and a team’s broader championship objectives. Meanwhile, a critical issue began to plague Sebastian Vettel: his radio developed a fault, making communication increasingly difficult. This meant he would have to rely heavily on his pit board for crucial information, including the number of laps remaining, adding another layer of challenge to his already demanding race.
| Lap: 21/28 | |||
| Loos | At the moment we lose three places. | Vettel | I think we lost radio there for a second. |
| Alonso | It’s not worth trying something? I don’t know. | Cronin | Okay I can hear you, all’s fine, can you hear me? |
| Alonso | How many laps? | ||
| Loos | At the end of this lap, seven laps to go. | ||
| Alonso | Copy. | ||
Alpine finally relented, calling Alonso into the pits seven laps after his initial suggestion. The decision, though late, ignited a furious charge. Alonso, however, felt the call had come far too late, a sentiment he would articulate with significant frustration after the race. Nevertheless, armed with fresh intermediate tires, he launched a relentless pursuit of Vettel. The gap was substantial, but Alonso’s pace was electrifying.
| Lap: 22/28 | |||
| Loos | Okay Fernando box this lap, please, box this lap. | Cronin | Alonso 1.7 behind. You’re catching Ocon and Hamilton ahead, they’re currently 4.6 ahead. |
| Alonso | Box. | Cronin | So Sebastian go down on torque switch to protect the fronts a bit more. You have been continuously looking after the fronts better than most. |
| Loos | Coming out just behind Norris. Ricciardo three seconds behind. Two seconds. | ||
| Alonso | I don’t know why it took so much. | ||
| Loos | Just things had to clear a bit in our pit window. | ||
| Alonso | Tell me the details with Vettel and Hamilton. | ||
Emerging from the pits, Alonso immediately dispatched Latifi and began to eat into Vettel’s lead at an astonishing rate, initially closing in by approximately five seconds per lap. The fresh intermediate tires were working wonders, allowing him to exploit every ounce of grip on the drying track. However, sustaining that incredible pace proved challenging, and he also had George Russell to contend with, another hurdle in his charge towards Vettel. This final phase of the race became a thrilling multi-car battle, with Alonso pushing the limits, Vettel defending valiantly, and other drivers fighting for their own positions amidst the strategic chaos.
| Lap: 23/28 | |||
| Loos | Okay Vettel is 21 seconds, Hamilton 26. | Cronin | Six more laps, six more laps. |
| Loos | Six laps to go. | ||
| Loos | Okay next car up the road is Russell, 11 seconds. Lap 16. Vettel at 16 seconds now. | ||
| Lap: 24/28 | |||
| Loos | Okay mate that’s five seconds quicker than Vettel. | Cronin | Five more laps. Russell is catching us but he’s six seconds behind. He’s about a second quicker. |
| Loos | Okay so Russell six seconds ahead, Vettel 12 seconds ahead, Hamilton 15. | ||
| Lap: 25/28 | |||
| Loos | Okay mate that was one-thousandths off the fastest lap. | Cronin | Okay Sebastian four more laps. Russell is still 5.5 behind. |
| Loos | At the end of this lap, three laps to go. | ||
| Loos | Vettel seven seconds, Russell two-and-a-half ahead. Can you go SOC four. | ||
| Lap: 26/28 | |||
| Loos | Overtake available. | Cronin | Just to keep you updated, Alonso did pit, he’s currently six, seven seconds behind us. He is fast. |
| Cronin | Three more laps, three more laps. | ||
The climax of the race was pure drama. As the final lap commenced, Alonso, with his fresh tires and unwavering determination, managed to overtake Russell. However, the Aston Martin pit wall, already grappling with Vettel’s intermittent radio issues, did not immediately realize that this was indeed the ultimate tour of the Suzuka circuit. This created further confusion, adding to the already high stakes. The battle between Vettel and Alonso was now reduced to a breathtaking sprint to the finish line, with both drivers pushing their cars and themselves to the absolute limit, unaware of the exact moment the chequered flag would fall.
| Lap: 27/28 | |||
| Loos | SOC two is available, SOC two. | Cronin | I know you know this but if you would like more rotation, down on your torque switch. Russell is 2.5 behind, Alonso is three. Alonso is close behind Russell. |
| Loos | Press and hold overtake. This is the last lap, this is the last lap, press and hold overtake. | Cronin | Two more laps. |
| Cronin | Obviously you’ve got Alonso is 1.1 behind. This will be the last lap! This is the last lap! | ||
The unfolding chaos over the race distance was not only frustrating for the teams but also immensely confusing for the drivers, especially for Vettel, whose radio problems intensified. He struggled to ascertain whether the race was truly over or if more laps remained. His pit board had earlier indicated an incorrect lap count, adding to his disorientation. Eventually, both Vettel and Alonso, despite the communication breakdowns, were persuaded that the race had indeed concluded. This final sprint, shrouded in uncertainty, highlighted the immense pressure and rapid decision-making required in Formula 1, especially when faced with conflicting information and technical issues.
| Lap: 28/28 | |||
| Alonso | I don’t know if the race finished. | Cronin | You’ve got loads of energy, use energy. This will be the chequered flag at the end of this one. Alonso 0.8 behind, 0.7. Use your energy, you’ve got loads of it. 0.6 behind now. Use your energy, use your energy. |
| Loos | Keep pushing, keep pushing. Keep pushing, mate. | Vettel | We got him, we got him. |
| Alonso | There are others slow. | Cronin | You beauty! |
| Loos | Okay mate. Okay we’re boxing this lap, mate, box this lap. | Vettel | Is it still going, the race, or is it over? |
| Alonso | Yeah? Sure? | Cronin | Chequered flag is out, it’s all over, all over. You beauty! |
| Vettel | Please tell me… You showed me lap one two laps ago, fuck’s sake. | ||
| Cronin | Yeah, no, no, it changed, so you are good. The chequered flag has been out. It’s the end of the race. Russell behind you has been told to slow down. | ||
| Cronin | Everyone slow! Slow, slow, slow! Okay everyone in front is slow. You can go to out one, Sebastian. P6. It’s the end of the race. | ||
| Vettel | I didn’t know the race. What is it now? Is over or are we still racing? | ||
| Cronin | It’s absolutely over. | ||
As the chequered flag finally waved, the two veteran drivers found themselves in strikingly different emotional states. Sebastian Vettel, despite the infuriating radio problems and the confusion surrounding the race’s end, was utterly delighted. His incredible recovery from a lap one error, climbing back through the field with a daring strategic gamble, had earned him a sixth-place finish – matching Aston Martin’s best result of the entire year. It was a fitting testament to his skill and determination, especially in his farewell season.
Fernando Alonso, on the other hand, was consumed by frustration. He believed Alpine should have heeded his calls for a second pit stop much sooner. He vehemently expressed his dismay, stating it wasn’t the first time the team’s strategic decisions had compromised his race. This post-race radio exchange laid bare the underlying tensions and strategic disagreements within the Alpine camp, highlighting a recurring theme of missed opportunities and differing perspectives on optimal race strategy. Ultimately, Alonso fell short of beating Vettel by a mere one-hundredth of a second, a fractional margin that underscored the intensity of their battle and amplified his disappointment.
| Loos | Yeah, sure, sure. Scenario 12, please, scenario 12. So come in the pit lane. | Vettel | We got first to the line, though. We got him. If that was the last lap. I’m so lost, man. Where are we? Japan? Suzuka? |
| Alonso | What position we ended up? | Cronin | Yeah we’re in Japan, it is Suzuka, you just got P6 by a fraction. You beat him to the line. Well done. |
| Loos | Okay. So the timing screen here says seventh. Just behind Vettel. | Vettel | Okay, I had no radio whatsoever. |
| Alonso | Yeah. What a mistake, eh? I mean strategically, what are you doing this year to me? | Cronin | Yeah, you’re crackling to me as well. |
| Vettel | I lost the radio probably halfway or 10, 12 laps to go, 15 laps to go. And I just had a lot of crackling, which was a horrible distraction. | ||
| Cronin | Copy that. I don’t know if you can hear me now but you’re P6. You beat him by… | ||
| Vettel | The pit board showed one lap to go but there was actually two or three. Anyways I guess we got him, yeah, P6. | ||
| Cronin | Yeah, yeah, we got him, P6. | ||
| Cronin | If you hear me, leave it in P1. |
The 2022 Japanese Grand Prix will be remembered not only for the controversial points allocation but also for this thrilling, strategically charged battle between two of F1’s most iconic figures. It was a race that encapsulated the essence of Formula 1: high-speed drama, strategic gambles, the fickle nature of weather, and the relentless pursuit of victory. For Sebastian Vettel, it was a highlight of his final season, a demonstration that the old magic was still very much alive. For Fernando Alonso, it was a powerful reminder of his undiminished competitive fire, coupled with the ongoing frustrations of strategic decisions he felt were holding him back. Their Suzuka showdown was a fitting chapter in the storied rivalry of two true legends.
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