More Japanese Grand Prix News
Protected Max Verstappen to Get Worthy Opponent as Lando Norris Dubbed Red Bull-Ready by F1 Driver Turned Pundit
Dive into the Japanese GP drama: The Norris-Verstappen dream pairing, Lando Norris' hiccup with Perez, and McLaren's podium chase.
Damon Hill Drags ‘Desperate’ Sergio Perez Through Mud for Unfair Attack on F1 Rival That Backfired
Sergio Perez's tumultuous Japanese GP dissected. Damon Hill discusses his blunders, while others debate his Red Bull future.
“I Will Drive Again”: Sebastian Vettel Rids ‘Hurtful’ Retirement to Begin Racing Comeback
Following his Japanese GP appearance, Sebastian Vettel might've hinted at a racing comeback. Will he be back in the circuit in 2024?
“George Russell’s So Stupid”: Amid Ongoing Drama, Fans Side With Lewis Hamilton After Shocking Details Surface
Fans rip George Russell to shreds amid ongoing Japanese GP drama with Lewis Hamilton as new details come to light in favor of the Brit.
“George Was a Sitting Duck”: Mercedes Criticized for Prioritizing Lewis Hamilton and ‘Wrongly’ Deserting Russell
After leaving George Russell out to dry by prioritizing Lewis Hamilton at the Japanese GP, Mercedes gets called out for doing so.
Lando Norris & Co. Cash In on Misery as Fernando Alonso Tipped to Sink With Bleeding Aston Martin
As the 2023 season is coming to a close, Lando Norris and McLaren have the perfect chance to leave Aston Martin behind after the Gapanese GP.
Dismissing Painful Rivalry, Lewis Hamilton and George Russell Unite to Defeat “Inconsistent” Ferrari
Dismissing painful Japanese GP, both Mercedes men Lewis Hamilton and George Russell allign objectives to beat inconsistent Ferrari.
“They Made a Mistake”: Amid Carlos Sainz-Charles Leclerc Fiasco, Ferrari Shown the Mirror for Another Grave Error
With tensions between Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz high at Ferrari, the team made another crucial mistake at the Japanese GP.
“That’s the Rule” – Esteban Ocon Shuts Pierre Gasly for Whining at Alpine’s Questionable Move
Esteban Ocon shares the rules that govern Alpine after the Japanese GP to shut down complaits by an exasperated Pierre Gasly.
Toto Wolff’s Disregard of Lewis Hamilton’s 2021 Wish Backfires as George Russell ‘Disaster’ Tipped to Explode by Ex-Ferrari Boss
Lewis Hamilton and George Russell's tussle at the Japanese GP brough to light how Hamilton isn't pleased with Toto Wolff's 2021 decision.
“It’s Difficult”: Only Minute After Carlos Sainz’s Revolt, Fred Vasseur Gives Miserable Update
After Carlos Sainz revoled post Japanese GP, Ferrari team principal Ferederic Vasseur also made a gloomy admission for the weekend.
“I Was Swearing Quite a Bit”: Sergio Perez’s Shady tactics to Defend Verstappen Left Lando Norris Fuming
During the Japanese GP, Red Bull man Sergio Perez forced an X-rated rant from Lando Norris for shady tactics to protect Max Verstappen.
About Japanese Grand Prix
via Getty
SUZUKA, JAPAN: Michael Schumacher of Germany and Mercedes GP announces his retirement at the end of the season during previews for the Japanese Formula One Grand Prix at the Suzuka Circuit in Suzuka, Japan. (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images)
Japanese Grand Prix - 2021 Latest News, Winners, Qualifying, Circuits, Track
The Japanese Grand Prix traditionally marks the culmination of the Asian leg of the Formula One calendar. The race is held at the Suzuka Circuit, as has been the case since 1987.
Since then, it has been a regular feature in the Formula One World Championship. However, the Japanese Grand Prix was held at the Fuji Speedway in 2007 and 2008.
The McLaren team has thrived here, having taken nine wins, with Ferrari in second with seven and Mercedes with six. Mercedes have been on a streak since 2014, winning last year's event to keep up their unblemished record in the turbo-hybrid era.
Significant Events
The Japanese Grand Prix was the scene for several significant events. First and foremost, in 1989, controversy erupted when Ayrton Senna and teammate Alain Prost collided at the chicane.
At the start, Prost got away much faster than Senna and negated the Brazilian's pole position advantage. In fact, Senna's start was so poor that Gerhard Berger got alongside him from third. However, Senna's McLaren had the inside line into the first corner, and he managed to keep the Ferrari behind him.
At the chicane, Prost braked, and Senna dived alongside the Frenchman. However, Prost moved across the track to block his path. Neither driver gave an inch, and the two collided just before the apex of the turn.
In 2005, Kimi Raikkonen clinched a win after a titanic battle with Renault's Giancarlo Fisichella. The latter took a comfortable lead while Alonso and Räikkönen were putting pressure on Michael Schumacher. After they passed the German, Alonso chased after Raikkonen, while he was stuck behind Webber and Button.
Fisichella looked the odds on favorite, but after the final round of pitstops, Raikkonen had a clear track. What followed next was a series of fastest laps, before he pitted. By then he was only five seconds behind Fisichella and was closing on the Renault. The Finn was now right on the tail of race leader Fisichella.
With three laps to go, Fisichella went defensive under braking at the Casio Triangle, which allowed Räikkönen to get a tow on the pit straight. Fisichella defended but the story repeated next lap, and this time Räikkönen was able to get past around the outside of turn 1 of the final lap.
Finally, in 2000, Michael Schumacher took his third win in Japan and his first title.
While the Suzuka circuit has witnessed countless commendable drives and records being broken, it is also the scene of one of the most tragic events in recent F1 history.
At the 2014 Japanese Grand Prix, Jules Bianchi suffered a fatal crash in treacherous conditions at Suzuka. The Frenchman's demise often acts as a stark reminder of the unforgiving nature of the Suzuka circuit.
Valtteri Bottas won last year's Suzuka race after a brilliant start following pole-sitter Sebastian Vettel's false start.
Past Winners
| Michael Schumacher | Germany | 1995, 1997, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2004 |
| Lewis Hamilton | United Kingdom | 2007 (Fuji), 2014, 2015, 2017, 2018 |
| Sebastian Vettel | Germany | 2009, 2010, 2012, 2013 |
| Ayrton Senna | Brazil | 1988, 1993 |
| Gerhard Berger | Austria | 1987, 1991 |
| Damon Hill | United Kingdom | 1994, 1996 |
| Mika Hakkinen | Finland | 1998, 1999 |
| Fernando Alonso | Spain | 2006, 2008 (Fuji) |
Past Constructors Winners
| McLaren | 1977, 1988, 1991, 1993, 1998, 1999, 2005, 2007, 2011 |
| Ferrari | 1987, 1997, 2000, 2001, 2003, 2004 |
| Mercedes | 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 |
| Red Bull | 2009, 2010, 2012, 2013 |
| Williams | 1992, 1994, 1996 |
| Renault | 2006, 2008 |
Japanese Grand Prix Circuit Details
The Suzuka Circuit is a 5.807-kilometer circuit, in the figure of number 8. The circuit has been modified four times since it was built in 1962.
In 1983, a chicane was put at the last curve to slow the cars into the pit straight. Similarly, the Degner curve was made into two corners instead of one long curve. The circuit was also made considerably safer by adding more crash barriers, more run-off areas, and removing straw bales leading into vegetation.
In 2002, the chicane was slightly modified, 130R was also modified and some of the snake curves were made a bit straighter and faster.
Where to watch
In India, the practice sessions, qualifying and the race will be broadcast on the Star Sports network. In Africa, Supersport is in charge of broadcast while in Asia and Australia, Fox Sports handles the broadcast. Canada has RDS while China telecasts the race on CCTV.
France relies of TF1 and Canal+ for their Formula One telecast. Germany, Austria and Switzerland have RTL Germany to thank. Italians who cannot travel to Monza can watchi on Sky Italia. Spain and Andorra have Movistar, while the United Kingdom has Channel 4 and Sky Sports. USA also shows the race on ESPN.
Japanese Grand Prix Tickets
Tickets are mostly available on the official Formula One website.
