The third round of the Formula One season takes us to the legendary Suzuka, the twisty, high-speed circuit in the heart of Japan.

The popular venue, next to the fairground, first hosted the Japanese Grand Prix in 1987 and remains a firm favourite among the drivers. Suzuka is also famous for its crossover section, making it unique as the only circuit on the calendar that is both clockwise and anticlockwise.

As we prepare for this year’s visit, there are unanswered questions about how the new era of F1 cars will adapt to the 5.8km layout. With Straight Mode, energy deployment and recharge, how will a lap of Suzuka compare to previous years? To find out, we asked our Racing Director Dave Greenwood.

Q. Will we see much difference in the first sector of the lap compared to last year?

Dave Greenwood: “With reduced downforce on the cars, we’ll definitely see lower apex speeds in the opening sequence of corners — the Esses from Turn 3 to 7 — and drivers will take them in a lower gear. By the start of the second sector, from the first Degner to the hairpin, the cars should be in a much more similar performance window to last year.”

Q. What about the all-important Spoon Curve and the exit towards 130R?

DG: “The effect of less downforce will be keenly felt around Spoon. Drivers will be grip-limited for longer there, which will make it more challenging. I think we’ll see more variation in the lines taken, and it’s critical because of the exit you need onto the next straight. The FIA has confirmed there will only be two Straight Modes at Suzuka: the first is after Spoon, ending just before 130R, and the second is on the Start/Finish straight.”

Q. Do you think we’ll get the yo-yo overtaking we have seen in Australia and China?

DG: “It’s difficult to say, but with the Overtake detection point going into the last corner, you’ll get the Overtake boost on the Start/Finish straight. Although it’s not as powerful as DRS, it’s still effective. If you make a pass before Turn 1, it’ll be difficult for someone to repass because you’re into the Esses and not on another straight.”

Q. What about deployment and recharge? How does Suzuka compare to other circuits?

DG: “It’s not too bad for recovery, but equally it has its challenges because of the long straights. I think we’ll see some variation in speeds through 130R across the teams, as you won’t want to waste energy if you’re scrubbing speed laterally on the tyres. I think we’ll see cars harvesting before they reach the Turn 16 chicane. I think we’ll also be much quicker than in previous years out of the hairpin and on the exit of Spoon.”

Q. Could rain be a problematic factor at Suzuka?

DG: “We carried out our shakedown in the rain at Silverstone and did some wet running in Spain too. Harvesting energy will no longer be a problem in the wet, but deploying it becomes trickier, especially with less downforce. If we get rain, we just have to be prepared, like every team. Don’t underestimate the time between China and Japan, where we’ve been back at Enstone in the simulator recalibrating everything we’ve learned so far.”