A few days after the toughest race of the year in the heat and humidity of Singapore and it’s back to work for OP as he takes on a track that is a firm favourite with most drivers. Here’s a look ahead to Suzuka.

• The 53 laps of the 5.807km track will encompass 18 corners (10 right-handers, eight left-handers)
• The circuit, located in the Mie Prefecture region, was built in 1962 and held the Japanese GP for the first time in 1987
• The Japanese Grand Prix has been held at two different locations: Suzuka and Fuji Speedway - the latter only playing host to the event four times
• The weekend will see the 37th running of the Japanese Grand Prix
• This is the latest of the tracks on the F1 calendar that Oscar has never raced at before
• 2022 saw over 90,000 fans attend race day at Suzuka with the three-day race attendance totalling more than 200,000

Racing in Japan…

“This is a race that I’m really looking forward to taking on. It’s an old-school track with undulations and fast, flowing corner sequences and it looks great fun to drive.

I’ve only driven it in the simulator, as I’ve never raced here before, so it’s another new circuit for me.

The fans are crazy about F1 and I can’t wait to feel the energy across the weekend.”

Singapore-Japan double header…

“I was really happy to make up 10 places in the race in Singapore and take home some good points especially after my qualifying ended prematurely due to the Q1 crash for Lance.

I’m really looking forward to getting the upgrades that Lando had in Singapore as the team have clearly done an awesome job.”

New contract…

“It was great to make the news about my new contract public on Wednesday. I’m really happy that the team was so keen for me to be a big part of its long-term future and to receive that commitment half a season into my F1 career, means an awful lot.

I want to be fighting at the sharp end in papaya and look forward to working with everyone at MTC for many years to come.”