Round Fourteen of the season takes us to the high speed Suzuka Curcuit. Suzuka is a fast flowing figure of eight circuit featuring iconic corners and was originally built as a test track for Honda. The figure of eight layout is one of the most demanding on the calendar.
The circuit was built in 1962 but didn’t hold a Grand Prix until 1987. The circuit was the final round for many years and saw many titles decided. There were many fights in the late 80’s and early 90’s between Alian Prost and Ayrton Senna.
In everyone’s mind will be what happened here almost a year ago and the death of Jules Bianchi in July.
Facts and figures
| Race | 日本グランプリ
Nihon-guranpuri |
| Venue | 2003 Grand Prix Circuit, Suzuka International Racing Course, Suzuka, Mie Prefecture, Japan |
| Circuit Length | 5.807km (3.608 mi) |
| Laps | 53 |
| Race Distance | 307.573km (191.117 mi) |
| Lap Record | 1:31.540 (Kimi Räikkönen, McLaren MP4-20, 2005) |
| Most wins drivers | Michael Schumacher (6) |
| Most wins manufacture | McLaren (9) |
Event timetable
| Local | BST | GMT | |
| Friday | |||
| P1 | 1000-1130 | 0200-0330 | 0100-0230 |
| P2 | 1400-1530 | 0600-0730 | 0500-0630 |
| Saturday | |||
| P3 | 1200-1300 | 0400-0500 | 0300-0400 |
| Qualifying | 1500-1600 | 0700-0800 | 0600-0700 |
| Sunday | |||
| Race | 1400-1600 | 0600-0800 | 0500-0700 |
2014 Race Data
| P1 Fastest | P2 Fastest | P3 Fastest | Q1 Fastest | Q2 Fastest | Q3 Fastest | Race Time | Fastest Lap |
| 01:35.461 | 01:35.078 | 01:33.228 | 01:24.941 | 01:23.310 | 01:32.506 | 01:51:43.021 | 01:51.600 |
Note – 2014 RACE NOT FULL DISTANCE
Classics
2011 – Horary Japanese Jenson Button takes victory after a difficult year for the country after Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami in March.
2007 – Hamilton takes victory at Fuji in torrential rain extending his title lead in his first attempt.
1990 – Ayrton Senna crashes into arch rival Alian Prost delibraly on the opening lap to take the title.
1987 – Sukuza holds its first grand prix the title shot out between Nigel Mansell and Nelson Piquet. But Mansell never starts after a crash in practice after aggravating an old back injury in practice.
