Alex Brundle explains Japanese GP energy tweak and its major impact on drivers

Alex Brundle has detailed what the energy tweaks introduced for qualifying at the Japanese Grand Prix will mean for the drivers.

The FIA confirmed ahead of the race weekend at the Suzuka Circuit that drivers will now only be allowed to harvest eight megajoules of energy, rather than the previously permitted nine megajoules. The adjustment has been introduced to reduce the amount of super clipping.

“So, we’re in the Melbourne zone really of how difficult it is to recover energy around this racetrack,” Brundle told F1 TV of Suzuka.

“I think it’s the fourth lowest in terms of energy available out on the circuit. The reduction in the energy available in qualifying is to prevent behaviours that might be dangerous or that the organisers don’t want to try to gather too much energy back.

“I’ve been talking to a couple of the teams today and, in practice, they’re telling me that what that means is that they’ll be forced to hold more of the energy allocation for the run to Spoon, the run down to 130R, and then the run across the line.

“So it kind of pushes them later and prevents the super clipping behaviours to try and recover the energy that we have seen at some circuits. They will still derate.

“They will still run out of energy around the racetrack, but trying to get closer to a full flat-out qualifying attempt. It’s going to be a really difficult race weekend for that.

The Suzuka Circuit Wheel

Photo by: Steven Tee / LAT Images via Getty Images

“It must be said, not only because there’s not a lot of energy out on the racetrack, but also because there aren’t a lot of braking zones here. So, it’s a different kind of energy recovery, the off-throttle, on-throttle management, something we haven’t really seen much of throughout the season so far. So, it’s going to be interesting to see who can get on top of that.”

Asked what tactics drivers could use with the energy tweaks, Brundle added: “Obviously, you’ve got three straights that are back-to-back with each other. So, they’re where you’re going to see the energy games throughout the races.

“So if you use a lot, for example, down to Spoon to try and make an overtake or defend your position, you’re going to then be vulnerable down to 130R. But there’s also going to be a lot for the drivers to do in being on-and-off throttle through the first sector, turn three through to turn six.

“We’ve seen George Russell and Mercedes extremely good at harvesting energy in that way. That’s all energy they can use later around the lap.

“Of course, the cars are now more nimble as well, slightly smaller, shorter wheelbase, and have a little bit less downforce. So, the challenge of Suzuka, I think, is going to be amplified by the fact that if you head into those fast corners with the entry speed that you had last year, you’re going to come unstuck pretty quickly because there’s a lot less grip underneath the drivers.”