F1 NATION: Ferrari in the fight, McLaren in the mix and Ricciardo's struggles – it's our Japanese GP preview

After Ferrari's 1-2 in Australia, can Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc race for the win again as F1 arrives in Japan? The F1 Nation team are here to discuss all that and more ahead of this weekend's race in Suzuka.

It was an unfamiliar sight for many watching Max Verstappen retire from the Australian Grand Prix early on as the reigning world champion suffered a brake problem. But he and Red Bull will want to bounce back with a bang just as they did in Japan last year following Sainz's trumph in Singapore.

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There's also McLaren to consider out in Suzuka. The squad secured a double podium here in 2023 and Lando Norris felt he had the pace to score second in Melbourne. Do they have the pace to be in the mix in Japan?

On this episode of F1 Nation 1996 World Champion Damon Hill and Spanish journalist Jesus Balseiro join Tom Clarkson to answer all the big questions.

The gang also discuss whether simulator issues are potentially playing their part in Mercedes' worst start to a season since 2012. while they also look at the form of RB's Daniel Ricciardo – the Australian has been outperformed by his team mate Yuki Tsunoda in the first three races of 2024.

Additionally Damon and Jesus go head-to-head in Quiz The Nation.

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