SUNDAY: Sunday kicked off with a slightly different driving experience, as Toto and Susie hit the track for some hot laps! Tune in for that one soon on Channel 4 F1 - it's going to be a brilliant watch!
SUNDAY: When the lights went out, Lewis and Valtteri had plenty to keep theme looking in the mirrors off the line - but both maintained position beautifully.
SUNDAY: An early Safety Car appearance after debris from Kevin Magnussen's tyre blowout littered the track brought added pressure at the restart - but our boys stood their ground once again.
SUNDAY: Pit stops are always tense - but the crew were cool, calm and collected as they aced their tyre changes for both Valtteri (Lap 23, Soft to Medium) and Lewis (Lap 24, Soft to Medium).
SUNDAY: Valtteri encountered traffic towards the end of the race that brought the hard-charging Verstappen within striking distance - but the Finn held firm to take his first Suzuka podium in P2.
SUNDAY: A few seconds up the road, Lewis crossed the line to take his 71st career victory - his 50th with the team and ninth of the season!
SUNDAY: And the hugs continued around the (unusually high!) fencing, as our race winner ran to congratulate the crew on an incredible performance this weekend.
SUNDAY: Up on the podium, Chief Mechanic Matt Deane took an absolute soaking from the boys once the ceremony had ended. We don't think he minded one bit, though!
SUNDAY: A fourth Suzuka victory in five years for Lewis at a circuit he absolutely adores - the delight was written all over his face!
SUNDAY: Yet another embrace back in the garage, as the Boss swooped in to congratulate Lewis on a flawless drive. What a weekend!
SUNDAY: Clearly not satisfied with their podium antics alone, the boys proceeded to douse as many team members as they could get close to after the photo in pit lane! You can run but you can't hide guys!
SATURDAY: FP3 brought intermittent showers, leaving much of the pack with only a handful of flying laps. Valtteri racked up 13 of them and ended the final practice session with the fifth fastest time.
SATURDAY: Lewis left it late to lay down his first flyer. But it was worth the wait, as he soared straight to the top of the timesheets and stayed there!
SATURDAY: With no F2 duties until the final round in Abu Dhabi, it's a weekend of soaking up the F1 action from the garage for our Reserve Driver George Russell.
SATURDAY: As the clock counted down to Qualifying, it was anyone's guess how the order - and the weather -might shake out at Suzuka. No matter the conditions, Valtteri was looking good to continue his fine form from Russia...
SATURDAY: Arriving in style! Lewis rocked up to the garage in his now customary style, ready to hit the track with even more pace than he'd shown flying around the paddock!
SATURDAY: A mixture of bright sunshine and showers made life extra tricky for the drivers out on track in Qualifying. This is where they really prove why they're the best in the world!
SATURDAY: Valtteri gave it his all but felt he could have done more in Sectors 2 and 3 on his final flying lap. He'll line up P2 nonetheless - a fine effort from the Finn!
SATURDAY: And so it was Lewis who sealed an emphatic pole for the second consecutive year at the Japanese Grand Prix and the 80th of his F1 career!
SATURDAY: The Boss was clearly delighted with that one! He was quick to praise the pit wall for acing the timing of those Q3 runs - as were both drivers. Kudos, legends!
SATURDAY: It's a front row lockout in Suzuka! But who will win the race down to Turn 1? Tune in tomorrow to find out!
FRIDAY: Valtteri checks in with the crew before climbing into the car for his first hot laps of Suzuka in W09!
Photo by Wolfgang Wilhelm
FRIDAY: Lewis returns to the pits after sampling Suzuka in 2018 machinery... his consensus? 'This track is awesome! What a great day!'
Photo by Wolfgang Wilhelm
FRIDAY: Suzuka is one of the most intense tracks on the calendar for drivers, with a relentless series of corners and high g-force levels
Photo by Steve Etherington
FRIDAY: Lewis tops the timesheets in first practice, with Valtteri close behind in second place. A good way to start the weekend!
Photo by Wolfgang Wilhelm
FRIDAY: The pit crew always round out practice sessions with a pit stop drill... practice makes perfect after all!
Photo by Wolfgang Wilhelm
FRIDAY: Rolling out for some more super-quick laps of Suzuka! Let's see what our drivers can do in FP2
Photo by Steve Etherington
FRIDAY: It's always important to get into a rhythm at a race track, but the sweeping, high-speed nature of Suzuka makes that even more important
Photo by Wolfgang Wilhelm
FRIDAY: The steely gaze of a Finn that's fully focused on getting the most out of the car! Balance work and tyre compound comparisons were the main tasks on Friday
Photo by Steve Etherington
FRIDAY: Lewis and Valtteri lead the way once again in FP2, concluding an encouraging day of action for the team in Japan
Photo by Wolfgang Wilhelm
FRIDAY: Suzuka is unique in many ways, but one of the most obvious is its figure-of-eight layout, the only track on the F1 calendar with a crossover!
Photo by Wolfgang Wilhelm
THURSDAY: The Japanese fans always show their support in a wide variety of ways... those nails are absolutely on point!
Photo by Steve Etherington
THURSDAY: Track conditions are damp and slippery as Lewis heads out onto the Suzuka Circuit for some Pirelli Hot Laps in the Mercedes AMG GT R!
Photo by Steve Etherington
THURSDAY: Fans young and old always flock to Suzuka for the race and seeing that kind of support is always a boost for the entire team
Photo by Steve Etherington
THURSDAY: The first day at the track has clearly been a little too much for this adorable Valtteri fan
Photo by Steve Etherington
THURSDAY: The autograph session at Suzuka is always one of the best of the season! Thanks to all the fans who came out to see our drivers!
Photo by Steve Etherington
THURSDAY: It's not every day you get to give a high-five to a four-time Formula One World Champion... this guy's day = made!
Photo by Wolfgang Wilhelm
THURSDAY: While the drivers were speaking to media and meeting the fans, the guys in the garage were prepping the two W09s for battle
Photo by Wolfgang Wilhelm
THURSDAY: The generosity of the Japanese fans always amazes us, check out these incredible Daruma dolls we were given
