Suzuka
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Track: Suzuka Circuit
Japan
The Japanese Grand Prix is one of the oldest and iconic Grand Prix that Formula One has hosted. The Suzuka Circuit is a classic to the sport and has hosted one of the most memorable Formula One races in its history. Suzuka is one of the oldest tracks that Formula One has hosted alongside Monaco, Silverstone and Spa-Francorchamps. The Japanese Grand Prix was the F1 race held in Asia, and would go on to become a massive success. So massive, that F1 began expanding their influence across Asia.
Onboard Lap using EA SPORTS F1® 24
Japanese Grand Prix
Ever since it's huge success in Europe, Formula One wanted to continue it's influence around the world to boost it's popularity. It all began on the Honda circuit designed by John Hugenholtz, with the Suzuka Circuit in 1963. The unusual layout, however, was an instant hit with the drivers as many of them preferred Suzuka. The Japanese Grand Prix entered the F1 World Championship in 1976, and immediately became a hit and a fan favorite. However, F1 didn't start in Suzuka but instead, raced at the Fuji Speedway.
John Hugenholtz (Designer of the Suzuka Circuit)
Japanese Grand Prix (Fuji Speedway 1976) Track Layout
1976, 2007, 2008 (racingcircuit.info)
​Turns: 7
Length: 3.78km/2.35mi
Laps: 73
Fuji Speedway
The First F1 Japanese GP took place in the Fuji Speedway. The Fuji Speedway is another international circuit in Japan located in the foothills of Mount Fuji. Before F1 raced at Suzuka, they chose the Fuji Speedway as their first venue in Japan. The 1976 Japanese GP was a title decider for the iconic and famous rivalry between James Hunt, and Niki Lauda. During the Grand Prix, Niki Lauda retired during the race due to safety concerns. Lauda had a massive accident in the Nürburgring in West Germany, making his car catch on fire which nearly killed him. He managed to escape that time but had injuries after that. He managed to be fully healed once the Japanese GP was about to begin but, he didn't want to fully complete the race for him as he feared that he might be involved in another accident. His retirement allowed his rival James Hunt, to win the 1976 FIA Formula One World Championship but, the Japanese Grand Prix was won by Mario Andretti. The next year's race would be won by James Hunt. A 1978 Japanese GP was planned, but eventually got cancelled and the Japanese GP was taken of the calendar for 10 years. When F1 returned in Japan, they decided that it would be best to host it in Suzuka as it's track layout is capable of hosting more action on track.
1976 Japanese GP
However, during the 2007 FIA Formula One World Championship, F1 returned to Fuji Speedway in 2007 primarily because of a contractual agreement with the track's owners, Toyota. Toyota, which was a major manufacturer in Formula 1 at the time, wanted to host the Japanese Grand Prix at their home track, Fuji, in an effort to boost the profile of both the brand and the race in Japan. The 2007 Japanese GP was won by 7 time World Champion Lewis Hamilton, who also took pole position for McLaren-Mercedes and also achieved the fastest lap of the race 1:28.193. F1 would also return to the Fuji Speedway at 2008, and was won by 2 time World Champion Fernando Alonso, after from starting from 4th on the grid.
WINNERS
1976 : Mario Andretti
1977: James Hunt
2007: Lewis Hamilton
2008: Fernando Alonso
2007 Japanese GP
2008 Japanese GP
Suzuka Circuit
After F1's race in the Fuji Speedway in the 1976 FIA Formula One World Championship, it's decided to host the next Japanese Grand Prix, in the Suzuka Circuit. The Suzuka Circuit looks promising to the fans and the drivers as the track looks to serve more racing action due to the more corners and turns that would serve as a challenge for the drivers.
Suzuka Circuit Layout​
Turns: 18
DRS Zones: 1
Length: 5.82km (3.61mi)
Fastest Lap: Lewis Hamilton
1:30.983
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1987 Japanese GP
1989 Japanese GP
1990 Japanese GP
When F1 returned to Japan in 1987, they moved from the Fuji Speedway, to Suzuka Circuit. During the 1987 Japanese GP, it was a crucial race as it was a title decider during the championship battle between Nelson Piquet and Nigel Mansell. Mansell was able to secure pole position after a great qualifying session for him but, didn't finished the race and had to retire his car due to a suspension failure, allowing Piquet to immediately become the 1987 Formula One World Champion. However, the Grand Prix was won by Ayrton Senna after starting from fourth to the grid, and managed to pull of a outstanding performance for his team for Lotus.
In the battle between Ayrton Senna and Alain Prost Suzuka has been acknowledged. This race was key in deciding the 1989 World Championship between Senna and Prost. Senna required to be in the lead to stay in the championship race, however, Prost only had to finish one foot behind him to take the title. However, during lap 47, the two cars tangled when Prost was too defensive, which resulted in them winding up in the gravel, and Prost had to retire immediately because of that. After the collision, Senna continued on until he eventually won the Grand Prix. But because of that incident, Senna was disqualified for his actions, handing over Prost his World Championship. During the 1990 FIA Formula One World Championship in the Japanese GP, the two rivals would collide again during the opening lap of the Grand Prix leading to more tensions between the drivers. But just like last time, Senna continued to finish the Grand Prix. That controversial move was significant on securing Ayrton Senna's second World Championship.
The Japanese Grand Prix would continue on to serve a lot of more racing action for years to come. However, during the 2007 and 2008 Formula One seasons, Suzuka was removed from the calendar to replace it with the Fuji Speedway. But, Suzuka did eventually return to the F1 calendar back in 2009 due to financial difficulties and logistical challenges of hosting the Japanese Grand Prix in Fuji Speedway. So F1 made a comeback to Suzuka, making it their official location for hosting the Japanese Grand Prix.
During the 2014 FIA Formula One World Championship, The Japanese GP in the 2014 season is to be considered as one of the most darkest ones yet. The sport was struck by the death of the young driver Jules Bianchi. Who lost control of his car during wet conditions. On lap 43 of the Grand Prix, Bianchi fully lost control over his car which caused him to skid across the track, eventually colliding with a track marshal vehicle that was attempting to carry another car that crashed. But when Bianchi collided with the vehicle, his car fully slammed into the huge Tyre of the vehicle causing his head to get injured during the collision. After the crash, he was immediately rushed towards a nearby hospital to under go surgery in order to save his life. However, there was nothing the doctors can do to try and save him. His death would impact the sport forever. F1 had to fully update the car's safety measures which included the heavily criticized "Halo", in order to prevent drivers from getting their heads injured. Despite it not being pleasing, the Halo managed to save countless lives during tragic accidents such as, Zhou Guanyu's huge crash in Sliverstone 2022, where his car was flipped upside down.
Jules Bianchi Fatal Crash 2014 Japanese GP
Max Verstappen's 2nd World Championship (2022 Japanese GP)
During the pandemic, the Japanese Grand Prix was taken out of the 2020 and 2021 calendar of the Formula One season, due to high presence of the COVID-19 virus in Japan. However, F1 managed to return to Japan in the 2022 FIA Formula One World Championship. The Japanese fans are in for a treat to see their home hero, Yuki Tsunoda racing at his home race. The 2022 Japanese Grand Prix would also mark Red Bull's Max Verstappen's 2nd World Title after winning the Grand Prix. During the 2024 Japanese Grand Prix for the 2024 Formula One season, Ferrari's Charles Leclerc, made a special tribute of remembering the death of his God Father, Jules Bianchi in his fatal crash back in 2014. He honors Bianchi with a special helmet that sports his racing number 17.
Yuki Tsunoda's Suzuka Debut (2022 Japanese GP)
Overall, Formula One's presence in Japan has always been a success. The Japanese Grand Prix always hosts a great race that is always filled with action that fans wouldn't never forget. The Suzuka Circuit instantly became a classic alongside with Silverstone, Monaco and Spa-Francorchamps becoming such a fan favorite and widely praised circuit.
Charles Leclerc's Tribute to Jules Bianchi (2024 Japanese GP)
WINNERS
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1987: Gerhard Berger 2000: Michael Schumacher 2015: Lewis Hamilton
1988: Ayrton Senna 2001: Michael Schumacher 2016: Nico Rosberg
1989: Ayrton Senna 2002: Michael Schumacher 2017: Lewis Hamilton
1990: Ayrton Senna 2003: Rubens Barrichello 2018: Lewis Hamilton
1991: Gerhard Berger 2004: Michael Schumacher 2019: Valtteri Bottas
1992: Riccardo Patrese 2005: Kimi Raikkonen 2022: Max Verstappen
1993: Ayrton Senna 2006: Fernando Alonso 2023: Max Verstappen
1994: Damon Hill 2009 Sebastian Vettel 2024: Max Verstappen
1995: Michael Schumacher 2010: Sebastian Vettel
1996: Damon Hill 2011: Jenson Button
1997: Michael Schumacher 2012: Sebastian Vettel
1998: Mika Hakkinen 2013: Sebastian Vettel
1999: Mika Hakkinen 2014: Lewis Hamilton
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