Japanese Grand Prix
The Japanese Grand Prix is an extremely popular race with both spectators and drivers. The Suzuka circuit is has a host of challenging corners and is built as a figure of eight with a number of good overtaking opportunities. A huge Ferris wheel dominates the circuit, which is part of the massive theme park constructed at the circuit.
The event has proved to be the deciding race in a number of great season finales and a trip to the Suzuka circuit is greatly anticipated.
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Formula 1 visits Suzuka Circuit, Suzuka for round 15 of the 2011 Live F1 season.
2011 Season
Sebastian Vettel has one at Japanese Grand Prix for the past two years and looks certain to dominate once again. However, additional developments scheduled by the McLaren team should allow both Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button to challenge.
The race promises to be a very entertaining race once again with a tight affair expected.
Overview
The Japanese Grand Prix is considered one of the best racing circuits on of the season and the drivers will be looking forward to the challenging track. The Suzuka circuit is 5.807 km long and the race is a total distance of 307.471 km with 18 corners on each of the 53 laps of the race. The current lap record is held by Kimi Raikkonen who achieved a time of 1:31:540 in 2005.
The race this year will take place on 9 October after the disasters in Japan meant that the original scheduled race on 24 April had to be postponed.
History
The first Formula One race was held at the Fuji Speedway, near Yokohama, in 1976. However, the race was not held for ten years and then returned to the superb Suzuka circuit near to Nagoya. The circuit was originally built by Honda as test track but the unique figure of eight circuit soon became popular with the drivers.
In 2006 it was announced that the race would alternate between the Fuji Speedway and Suzuka each year but from 2010 the race reverted to Suzuka alone.
Key Moments
2004
Qualifying is rescheduled to race day as a result of a typhoon and many of the top drivers start form low down on the grid. Kimi Raikkonen wins the race after started in 17th place on the grid.
2003
Michael Schumacher clinches his sixth World Championship title by finishing in at least eighth place after starting on fourteenth on the grid.
1989
Alain Prost blocks an overtaking attempt by Ayrton Senna and they both crash out handing Prost the World Championship title in controversial circumstances.
1976
Niki Lauda retires from the race and hands the World Championship title to James Hunt as a result. Lauda had suffered a near fatal crash earlier in the season and stated that his life was more important that the championship.
