Following the hole race in Melbourne and Shanghai this weekend sees Formula One drivers and groups head east once more to Japan with the Land of the Rising Sun set to host Round three of the 2025 FIA Formula One World Championship, the Japanese Grand Prix. F1Technical’s senior author Balázs Szabó provides a few key stats and minutiaelities for the thirty ninth Japanese Grand Prix.
Suzuka is the most effective figure-of-8 circuit at the Formula 1 calendar and the music is universally acclaimed via way of means of drivers. The 5.8km music carves its manner via the undulating Japanese countryside, with high-velocity sections and short adjustments of direction, at the same time as minor mistakes are punished way to the proximity of grass, gravel and barriers.
A robust aerodynamic package deal is important to cope with Suzuka’s high-velocity sweeps, as is motive force self belief withinside the car, at the same time as the circuit is likewise hard on tires way to the high-power loads, ensuing in Pirelli nominating its toughest compounds. That additionally locations a more emphasis on grid position, thanks to the preference for clean air, at the same time as Suzuka’s slim nature approach passing possibilities may be at a premium. Segments of the music have additionally gone through a resurfacing because the 2024 walking of the next event.
Long history
The first ever Japanese Grand Prix was held in Fuji in 1976. American Mario Andretti took a commanding victory with Lotus-Ford in the inaugural race by crossing the finish line first with an advantage of a full race lap. However, that race is remembered for the title decider between Niki Lauda and James Hunt.
In Monza, the Austrian had returned to racing in record time after his terrible crash at the Nurburgring and he came to Fuji with a three-point lead over McLaren’s James Hunt. However, that 24 October is remembered for the atrocious weather, with rain falling incessantly, prompting the Austrian to stop after just two laps. In the end, James Hunt secured a third place which was enough to claim the championship title by a single point.
In the following year, the field headed to Fuji for the second time. After leading every single lap of the race, James Hunt took the victory in front of Carlos Reutemann.
Following the first two races, Japan was taken off the Grand Prix calendar. The Land of the Rising Sun returned in 1987 at a new venue, Suzuka, which hosted the Grand Prix exclusively for 20 years and gained a reputation as one of the most challenging F1 circuits. In 1994 and 1995, Japan also hosted the Pacific Grand Prix at the TI Circuit, making Japan one of only seven countries to host more than one Grand Prix in the same season.
In 2007, the race moved back to Fuji after a hiatus of 30 years. Lewis Hamilton won the third race held in Fuji in treacherous conditions in very poor visibility due to heavy thunderstorms. Fernando Alonso was victorious in the following season with Renault. After just two races in Fuji, the owners of the Fuji Speedway, Toyota announced that it would not host a race in the next year due to global economic problems. The event moved back to Suzuka, which has hosted the Japanese Grand Prix every year since 2009.
In 2020 and 2021, the Japanese GP was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but the race is made its return two years ago with the Suzuka Circuit holding a valid contract until 2024.
