The Japanese Grand Prix of the F1 was “boring” and “similar to Monaco” – that’s why

While the pilots spoke following the Japanese Grand Prix, a theme occurred: the race felt boring sometimes.

The winner of the match Max Verstappen may have been brilliant, with a qualifying performance and race described by his Team Cristiana Horner as “Inspirational”. But, for most of the grid, it was a particularly frustrating Sunday.

Williams Carlos Sainz’s pilot came to the Monaco Grand Prix – an iconic date in the calendar that last year was so boring that this time around the World Motor Sport Council (WMSC) approved a rule to make Monaco a Minimum two -stop race to improve the quality of the races.

“I was very fast,” said the Spaniard to journalists after finishing the 14th, “but the position of the grid in our track became similar to Munich with how difficult it is to pass.”

The Monaco GP has been widely criticized given the way it can become a procession. The narrow boundaries of the road circuit and the size and weight of modern cars mean that overtaking is rare. With Suzuka, there is only one DRS Zone, Which is on the main straight and can be difficult for cars follow up close, in particular during the fastest portion at the beginning of the lap. The fear of figure is quite narrow with small outflow areas.

“I have heard many times that it was a difficult trace to overcome,” said Gabriel Bortoleto di Sauber, competing for the first time in the race. “He surprised me, because even with (a) the advantage of four tenths, it was difficult to overcome.”

Liam Lawon by Racing Bulls Guide Nico Hülkenberg (27) and Carlos Sainz (55) during the Japanese Grand Prix (Clive Mason/Getty Images)

There are other factors beyond the only layout of the track that can limit overtaking opportunities.

The grid is close enough this season and the DRS trains can form, which means that any advantage of the rhythm may not lead to an overtaking if combined with the points limited to Suzuka to take a dive beyond a rival. The tires also had a low degradation, which influenced any variety of strategy, and the dirty air was worse than previous years because the cars of this season are more complex aerodynamically. The dirty air – which is what is hunted from the back of the car in advance – reduces strength and grip, making overtaking even more difficult.

“Long, boring, not happening much,” said Nico Hülkenberg to journalists when he described his race after finishing the 16th. “I also spent all my race in traffic, and it is not so fun to look at someone’s rear wing and the DRS. It is so difficult with these cars. The dirty plane effect, year after year, worsens a little.

“It is very difficult to do anything,” added the German, referring to the new surface of the track on some sections, which led less degradation.

Bortoleto echoed the feeling, transmitting how it was “a little boring to stay behind”. He felt as if he had more step, especially during the last piece of the Grand Prix, but the novice He was unable to overcome, ending 19th. “I was much faster, but not enough to have that really great rhythm advantage. I tried twice, but I was not able to be side by side at the end of the straight,” he said.

The way in which the Japanese GP has developed clearly by contrasting the usual comments on the Suzuka circuit, which is considered the favorite among the drivers. The opening lap was static, apart from a little more low movement on the grid when Yuki Tsunoda has passed Liam Lawson. One of the most electrifying moments came from Verstappen and Lando Norris ranging out of the pit lane, with McLaren ends up in the grass. But the first six finished the way they started the Grand Prix.

This does not mean that the battles did not take place on the track. But the margins were thin, the errors can be expensive and a small overtaking is common in this Grand Prix.

“This is Suzuka,” said Fernando Alonso to journalists. “I don’t remember a race when we saw too many overtaking here without changing the time. It seems that we always repeat on Thursday, how great Suzuka is, how great is Monaco, the glamor, the spectacular weekend. And then on Sunday, we wake up and say: ‘Monaco is boring. What can we do on the track?” Suzuka is boring. “This is Formula 1 and Suzuka is fantastic, because the Saturday is an incredibly high adrenaline.”

Max Verstappen celebrates the podium after his unparalleled performance (Mark Thompson/Getty Images)

Two things can be true. A unique race without interruption may seem quickly slow and boring, especially when there are limited overtaking opportunities. But the track can still be among the great ones.

The Monaco Grand Prix will require two pit stops, which will potentially bring variety to the strategies. But do Suzuka or other circuits on the calendar need a mandate to revive the sports side? Not necessarily. After all, the regulations change next year.

The 2025 Japanese Grand Prix may not have been a thriller aboard your place, while Verstappen converted his pole in a victory after remaining in front of McLarens. But he reminded us of the fickle nature of the F1: look at how easily the comments surrounding the weekend of the Grand Prix have gone from praise to criticism.

“When we don’t have the grip, we complain that there is no grip. And when we have too many stops, we complain that the tires do not last,” Alonso said, when he was asked if the new surface has worsened the problem. “So instead of seeing the negative part of the weekend, I tried to enjoy what we lived this weekend. And it was another great Suzuka.”

(Photo above: Toshifumi Kitamura/AFP via Getty Images)