2017 Formula 1 Japanese Grand Prix Preview: Suzuka Hosts Formula 1

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Grand Prix Information

Number of Laps: 53
Circuit Length: 5.807 km
Race distance: 307.471 km
First GP: 1987
Lap Record: Kimi Raikkonen (2005)

Dates

Practice 1: Friday, 6th October; 10:00 – 11:30
Practice 2: Friday, 6th October; 14:00 – 15:30
Practice 3: Saturday, 7th October; 12:00 – 13:00
Qualifying: Saturday, 7th October; 15:00 – 16:00
Main Race: Sunday, 8th October; 14:00 – 16:00

One of the greatest tracks in Formula One racing today is the Japan Suzuka circuit. It is a massive test of car's and driver's abilities. Built by Honda in 1962, the track was designed by Dutchman John Hugenholz, one of the best architects at the time. The Suzuka circuit has been the scene for many nail-biting end of the season deciders.

These moments have added to Suzuka’s appeal with fans as the Grand Prix now attracting some of the most passionate and knowledgeable crowds in F1 racing. The track is also a favorite with drivers, featuring some of F1’s most challenging corners. All this and the circuit’s figure-of-eight layout makes it unique in F1 racing.

Over the Years

Only three men in history have won more than twice in Japan – and the two of them are on the current grid. And that top three cannot change in order this weekend – victory for Lewis Hamilton would leave him one shy of Vettel’s four-win tally, while a Vettel triumph would still leave him one short of Michael Schumacher’s record of six.

The only team on the grid with a Japanese engine – McLaren – is also the most successful in Japan, even though the partnership may be ending soon. They have nine Japanese GP wins. In more recent times, however, it has been Mercedes and Red Bull who have dominated at Suzuka, winning seven of the last races, with the last three going to Mercedes.

It is Schumacher who also reigns supreme in the Japan qualifying stakes, with eight poles – twice as many as nearest rival Vettel, who is untouchable among the current drivers on the grid. So can any of the rising stars break onto the Suzuka front row for the first time? We will have to wait to find out.

Sebastian Vettel is just nine laps at the head shy of hitting the 200 mark – still well behind of Schumacher’s 309, but still impressive. He is way ahead of second-placed Hamilton who has led 126 laps.

Standings: Ferrari determined to bounce back

Ferrari comes to Japan after two calamitous races, determined to bounce back after the gap between Lewis Hamilton and Sebastian Vettel has been stretched to 34 points. Singapore was an unmitigated disaster that saw Vettel crash out within seconds of the race starting and in Malaysia, engine problems confined him to start at the bottom of the grid.

But Vettel’s excellent drive saw him go from 20th to an honorable fourth, and he comes to Suzuka expecting to show similar pace. Also, two fine races from Hamilton sees him closer to be world champion again, and he will be hoping to gap Vettel so much that he would feel comfortable heading into the final races of the season.

Predictions: Vettel or Hamilton?

The drivers invariably love Suzuka and will tell you that with a good car, it makes for one of the greatest ever experience behind the wheel of an F1 machine, so we can expect a great weekend of action.

Ferrari, Mercedes, and Red Bull all have potentially race-winning machinery for this weekend’s race but the driver most in need of a good result is Sebastian Vettel. Hamilton will also be hoping to increase the gap between him and Vettel.

Kimi Raikkonen has been on the podium in Japan five times but has only won once. It is a record he will be hoping to change on Sunday. Meanwhile, the likes of Bottas and Ricciardo will be hoping to claim their maiden rostrum appearances at Suzuka.