Sunday's Japanese Grand Prix will not be billed as one of Formula 1's all-time classics as low tyre degradation largely left the field in its qualifying order by the chequered flag. The lack of passing opportunities during the race was also of significant note.
It has never been particularly easy to pass at Suzuka; in modern times, the nature of Turn 1 makes DRS generally ineffective, and the few straightline sections transitioning into hard stops means it is very difficult to slipstream a driver in front.
