There is no denying that Asia is gradually becoming the new battle ground of new Grand Prix circuits. One of the most anticipated races in the F1 calendar is of course the Japanese Circuit. Many have called it Schumacher’s playground due to his dominance on this track.
As the countdown to 5th October starts it is important to look at why this circuit is creating such a buzz. After all nothing makes watching F1 whether on the track or on TV more exciting than having some facts about the race.
Heritage
The Japanese GP dates back to 1963 when the 1st GP was run as a non-championship race. 13 years later Formula One made a debut in Japan at the mercurial Fuji Speedway in 1976. This was a tough race forcing even the greats such as Niki Lauda and Carlos Pace withdraw.
Mario Andretti won the inaugural race but in 1977 the adamant James Hunt was back to win it. However an accident involving Gilles Villeneuve’s Ferrari caused deaths of two spectators and the race was scrapped from the F1 calendar.
A decade later the race was back but this time at a different venue; the Suzuka circuit from 1987-2006. In 2007 it returned to Fuji but since 2008 it has been held at Suzuka after withdrawal of Fuji as hosts. Suzuka had been built originally as a test circuit in 1962 by Honda but has undergone refurbishment in order to fit into FIA guidelines.
Facts about Japanese GP
Some of the interesting facts about this circuit include:
· Location: Suzuka circuit 50 kms south of Nagoya City
· Length and laps : 5.807 km and 53 laps
· Race distance: 307.471km (191.054 miles)
· Fastest lap: Schumacher’s 1’28.954 (235.011 kph) in 2006
· Most driver wins: Schumacher who has scored 7 pole positions and five wins at Suzuka.
· Challenge: the circuit is set as a figure 8 with sharp S- curves and a tough and fast 130R curve.
Stuff of Legend
This circuit cannot be mentioned without conjuring the names of Alain Prost and Ayrton Senna. Their battles reached climax on this circuit between 1988 and 1990.
Prost was on the way to winning the championship after Senna made a bad start but lo and behold! Senna stormed from 14th to pass Prost and win the drivers’ championship. The 1989 race at Suzuka is still legendary in sports due to its controversial nature but also the crazy speeds involved.
What do you expect come October 5th? Will history be made once more on this track or will it be the same reserved driving seen of late?
As the countdown to 5th October starts it is important to look at why this circuit is creating such a buzz. After all nothing makes watching F1 whether on the track or on TV more exciting than having some facts about the race.
Heritage
The Japanese GP dates back to 1963 when the 1st GP was run as a non-championship race. 13 years later Formula One made a debut in Japan at the mercurial Fuji Speedway in 1976. This was a tough race forcing even the greats such as Niki Lauda and Carlos Pace withdraw.
Mario Andretti won the inaugural race but in 1977 the adamant James Hunt was back to win it. However an accident involving Gilles Villeneuve’s Ferrari caused deaths of two spectators and the race was scrapped from the F1 calendar.
A decade later the race was back but this time at a different venue; the Suzuka circuit from 1987-2006. In 2007 it returned to Fuji but since 2008 it has been held at Suzuka after withdrawal of Fuji as hosts. Suzuka had been built originally as a test circuit in 1962 by Honda but has undergone refurbishment in order to fit into FIA guidelines.
Facts about Japanese GP
Some of the interesting facts about this circuit include:
· Location: Suzuka circuit 50 kms south of Nagoya City
· Length and laps : 5.807 km and 53 laps
· Race distance: 307.471km (191.054 miles)
· Fastest lap: Schumacher’s 1’28.954 (235.011 kph) in 2006
· Most driver wins: Schumacher who has scored 7 pole positions and five wins at Suzuka.
· Challenge: the circuit is set as a figure 8 with sharp S- curves and a tough and fast 130R curve.
Stuff of Legend
This circuit cannot be mentioned without conjuring the names of Alain Prost and Ayrton Senna. Their battles reached climax on this circuit between 1988 and 1990.
Prost was on the way to winning the championship after Senna made a bad start but lo and behold! Senna stormed from 14th to pass Prost and win the drivers’ championship. The 1989 race at Suzuka is still legendary in sports due to its controversial nature but also the crazy speeds involved.
What do you expect come October 5th? Will history be made once more on this track or will it be the same reserved driving seen of late?