Looking Ahead: Japan

Suzuka Circuit


Hosting it's first race in 1987 the Suzuka Circuit in Japan is unique in the Formula 1 calendar in that it is the only race to feature a figure of 8 layout. A true test of skill this track pushes both drivers and cars to their limits with it's mix of fast, sweeping bends and high speed straights making this a track that any driver is proud to win at. Traditionally held towards the end of the season the Japanese Grand Prix has seen no fewer than 13 title deciding races - the most famous (and infamous) of which being Alain Prost winning in 1989 and Ayrton Senna the following year.

In recent years the Japanese Grand Prix had moved back to the Fuji Speedway, where the Japanese Race had been originally located in 1976. Originally after 2008 Fuji (owned by Toyota) and Suzuka (owned by Honda) were to alternate the hosting of the Japanese Grand Prix but in 2009 Toyota announced that due to the economic downturn they would not be hosting a race in 2010 and the Suzuka circuit has hosted the race every season since then. Always a race that is popular with the fans the Japanese Grand Prix is one of the best attended races on the calendar and with the return of Kamui Kobyashi to a driving role in 2014 and Honda re-igniting their historic partnership with McLaren for 2015 local interest will soar in the race and the sport as a whole.

Laps: 53
Lap Length: 5.8153km (3.6135 miles)
Turns: 18
Lap Record (At Suzuka since 2003): Kimi Raikkonen (McLaren Mercedes) 1:31.540 2005
Available Tyres: Medium(White), Hard(Orange), Intermediate(Green), Wet(Blue)

Previous Winners


2013 Formula 1: Sebastian Vettel   Red Bull Racing
PL: LIAMATTHURSO   Scuderia Ferrari
AL1: TopmanTaylor   Scuderia Ferrari
AL2: barwell74   Scuderia Ferrari
AL3: VR6_ROB   Mercedes AMG PETRONAS F1 Team