Lewis Hamilton and Yuki Tsunoda lament axed Japanese GP

Japanese Grand Prix

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Hamilton and Tsunoda lament axed Japanese GP

Suzuka race was recently cancelled for second year in succession

Ian Parkes & Sam Hall

Thursday 26 August 2021 17:00

Yuki Tsunoda has conceded to feeling "really disappointed" at the cancellation of this year's Japanese Grand Prix.

Tsunoda was due to compete in his first home F1 race at Suzuka on October 10 but due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, the race was recently axed for the second year in succession.

“I was really disappointed with that news," said Tsunoda. "I was expecting it a little bit the week before and I knew already the news from the day before [it was announced].

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“I was watching the news from Japan, especially after the Olympics finished, with the Covid situation getting a little bit bad.

"I was hearing from the government and from F1 stuff that if it was getting bad there, [and there was] a high risk that it would be cancelled. That has happened.

“I was really looking forward, especially to driving in front of the Japanese fans and also driving at Suzuka.

"The last time I drove [there] was Formula 4 and I was really looking forward to feeling the difference from Formula 4 to F1. It is a bit sad but it is what it is.”

Hamilton misses "creative" fans

Despite the often nail-biting on-track action at Suzuka, it is not uncommon for the cameras to be distracted by the eye-catching costumes and headwear of the Japanese fans.

Alongside visiting Tokyo, such creativity is something championship leader Lewis Hamilton claims he will be sad not to see this year.

"I mostly just miss going to Tokyo, I just love Tokyo the most," said Hamilton.

"But the whole experience of going to Japan, such a beautiful place and, naturally, seeing all the incredible fans.

"They're so unique in their own way and they're so creative in the style that they come to the race track with and the energy that they project through the weekend of just pure excitement.

"It's a different group of people. Obviously, you come to Europe and it's very European things. Everyone is having beers and it's a different vibe.

"You don't see that in Japan. They've got a theme park, they've got really creative costumes on, they've got these amazing hats they've created with cars of all different shapes on the tops of their caps."