Red Mist: Ferrari’s been very quiet. Like it should

It seems the coming weekend won’t be much to write home about either if statistics are anything to go by. Japan hasn’t been a very good hunting ground for Maranello of late. While we’ve won there seven times, the last five of those being in succession, of which Michael Schumacher won four, the last time Ferrari won in Japan was in 2004.

A Jinx? Twenty-one years. Or guinea of shillings ago. As long as it took Schumacher to win Ferrari’s first championship after Scheckter. And a year more than Red Bull has been a thing. The only current team worth mentioning that has not won the Japanese Grand Prix since then was Williams, which last won in ’96.

It’s not a pretty statistic. A junx, if you may. And it’s one that Ferrari’s present form suggests is unlikely to change unless you’re betting against black. Or red. The Tifosi will know. We’ve fielded ad those messages from bastard rival fans. Of clowns on the pit wall. Asking if Ferrari will refuel a Williams next. Laughing out loud about that awful double DQ. We’ve all hurt.

Seven years of bad luck for Lewis? Which would make another against-the-grain victory all that much sweeter. Especially if it's Lewis. Ginetto has won five times in Japan.

Also a slight statistic versus his global achievements. Especially since it’s been a seven-year jinx since his last Japan victory too, Charles, it goes without saying, is yet to win in Japan.

Seven years is a long time. For bad luck. So for Ferrari to somehow to win in Japan, three times seven years later, and seven years after Hamilton last won, would be a more than welcome change.

But that also needs the team to click. One car needs to weigh enough. And the other to be within spec. The jinx to break. All nightmares are still way too fresh in the memory.

But let’s dream it possible. It would not be the first time we have done that. And the second weekend on the trot. Lest we forget. Forza Ferrari!