The 2016 Japanese Grand Prix came from one of F1’s best circuits, but this year’s race certainly wasn’t one of the best.

It was another Mercedes win, of which we have all become accustomed to, and there were a few other things in the race which seem to be becoming the norm too.

Without the delay is our review of the 2016 Japanese Grand Prix, and unlike Luca Badoer’s F1 career, it is in point form.

GOOD

NICO ROSBERG

Pole Position, Win, extended lead over Championship rival and team mate. Job done. Next race then.

MAX VERSTAPPEN

Did the best job he could all weekend, and second place a just reward. Took back the momentum after Ricciardo’s win in Malaysia last weekend.

RELIABILITY

All 22 cars finished, so the cost saving measures must be working. A shame though, as the bulletproof nature of today’s cars take away the anticipation of which car will break down next like the 80’s which was a good thing.

BAD

LEWIS HAMILTON

Another poor start, and although it was a fine recovery to third place, but it was another weekend behind Rosberg. A position he has been in since the Summer break. Maybe it was karma from his douche bag antics in the drivers press conference.

DAN RICCIARDO

Not a great weekend. Behind his teammate all weekend, and an underwhelming race. A disappointment after his win last weekend. We could blame the Budgie Nine and we will.

JENSON BUTTON

I guess he would be happy to beat anyone home in the end. That end of season break probably can’t come too soon.

UGLY

SEB VETTEL

Things are starting to get stressful at Ferrari and it’s showing. His moaning and whining over the radio about lapped cars is one sign of the stress starting to take over. So used to winning so early in his career, he was never going to be a good loser. Has been whingeing over the radio all season.

FINAL THOUGHT

Having watched large parts of the Bathurst 1000 cpverage over the weekend, I was amazed to see level of driver interaction during the Bathurst Pit Lane Live show on the Friday night. If F1 wants to connect with fans, maybe they should take note of this show and how the drivers joined in. A far cry, and a refreshing one, from the usual self important surliness nothing we get from F1 drivers.

We’d also like to see a small 5lap demo race between the F1 drivers too. Both ideas are unlikely.

RESULTS

CHAMPIONSHIP