Suzuka should allow Red Bull to produce a strong showing according to team principal Christian Horner.
The Milton-Keynes-Based outfit have historically gone well around the figure of eight track, winning on four occasions and taking pole five times.
Their victory at last weekend’s Malaysia Grand Prix has only filled them with more confidence they can potentially challenge Mercedes for victory on Sunday.
In particular, the first two sectors should suit the RB12 with it’s fast sweeping bends and the low-speed hairpin; Horner is optimistic of a competitive outing.
“We are looking forward to Suzuka,” he said. “Hopefully it should be a circuit that plays a bit more to our strengths than Malaysia.
“We have seen our car very competitive all weekend in sector two, so we are quite looking forward to sectors one and potentially two in Suzuka.
“It is a great track, a great drivers’ circuit, and hopefully we can have another strong weekend.”
Reflecting on Daniel Ricciardo’s triumph in Sepang, Horner admits it was a relief to see the Australian’s luck turn after near misses in Spain and Monaco.
“He has had lots of second places this year,” he added.
“Bad luck tends to even out over a period of time, usually over a season, and his misfortune, particularly Monaco, was today’s bad luck for Lewis. And he was there to capitalise on it.
“It was great to see him get that victory. He celebrated it in his own unique style and he was a very popular winner.”
