Ahead of the Japanese Grand Prix in Suzuka, Oracle Red Bull Racing and Scuderia AlphaTauri drivers made a Tokyo detour to go to the Ariake Stadium, the place they traded their racing automobiles for Japan’s iconic Kei vehicles, as a collision of motorsports and Japanese popular culture unfolded in a enjoyable sport present setting. The drivers raced these compact automobiles, higher identified for navigating the slim backstreets of Japanese cities within the newest (Un)Serious Race Series. Here’s all you have to know:
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The Kei truck epitomizes the nation’s penchant for ingenuity in compact design and was initially conceived to satisfy the calls for of Japan’s slim roads and dense city areas. To see them manoeuvred by F1 drivers, historically accustomed to vastly extra highly effective machines, lends the occasion an added layer of enjoyable competitors.
The Tokyo detour challenges appeared lifted straight from Japan’s most whimsical sport exhibits, that includes outsized bowling pins and colossal inflatable balls. Yuki Tsunoda, the beforehand undefeated champion of this unconventional sequence, confronted an uphill battle on house soil. In an surprising flip of occasions, it was Verstappen and Perez who emerged triumphant, breaking Tsunoda’s profitable streak in his native Japan.
Celebrating the win, Checo mentioned: “It’s been a funny day. It’s great being part of the Red Bull family as we get to do many crazy events around the world; I’d have never expected to be doing this challenge here in Tokyo. I wish the Kei trucks had more downforce. ”
Verstappen chimed in along with his reflections, saying, “First and foremost, it’s important to mention that we finally won the challenge. The kei trucks have been fun to drive. I haven’t quite found the DRS yet, though. It’s been good preparation for the race this weekend, and I have a lot of special memories from Suzuka. My favourite memory is winning the championship here and driving in my first-ever official practice session, too – on a track like this, it wasn’t the easiest, but I will remember it forever.”
Despite the aggressive benefit of getting pushed Kei vehicles in his late teenagers, Tsunoda remained relaxed at seeing his (Un)Serious dominance disrupted. “I drove Kei trucks a couple of times when I was 18. My grandfather had one for gardening. The truck was the perfect size, perfectly fitting, and fun to drive, very controllable and sharp. This series is always fun, but we are racing drivers and always competitive. So, at the same time, we are always serious. It’s an unserious vehicle, but serious racing.”
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Taking half within the first Tokyo detour race within the (Un)Serious Series problem, Liam Lawson provided perception into what went flawed in Scuderia AlphaTauri’s quest to make it three-round wins on the hop. “The highlight was the race at the end, stacking some boxes, and on the way back, Yuki made an aggressive turn that I wasn’t ready for, and I fell onto him and knocked it into neutral. So, the last 50m was just in neutral, on the limiter across the line.”
Previous races within the (Un)Serious Race Series have seen world-class drivers in lots of unlikely eventualities, from Mini Boat Races in Miami to Mega Truck Races in Spielberg.
The subsequent cease for the 4 F1 racers is the legendary Suzuka Circuit, house of this weekend’s Japanese Grand Prix. One of F1’s most iconic circuits, Suzuka was the scene of Max’s second title win final yr.
