Username
Password
Japanese GP Facts & Figures
   
Facts & Figures
 
- The Suzuka circuit has been the venue for some epic battles for not only the race but also the Championship. The last time the championship was decided in Japan was in 2000, when Michael Schumacher won his first title with Ferrari. However, in 2000, Suzuka was the penultimate race of the season, and was followed by Malaysia.

- At the inaugural GP at the circuit in 1987, it played host to Williams' Nelson Piquet claiming his third Drivers' Championship while the race was won by Gerhard Berger for Ferrari. The race in 1994 was the most memorable for WilliamsF1. Damon Hill beat Michael Schumacher in a two-part race, which was interrupted by torrential rain, and took the Championship down to the wire in Adelaide with the drivers on equal points. This was the second of three wins for WilliamsF1 in Japan and the first of two for Damon who earned his second Suzuka win in 1996.

- Suzuka has been the home of the Japanese Grand Prix since 1987, but prior to this two races were held at the Mount Fuji track in '76 and '77. The only other Japanese circuit to hold a Formula One race was the TI Circuit Aida where the Pacific Grand Prix was held in '94 and '95.

- The 2003 event will be the 19th Grand Prix in Suzuka and the 23rd GP in Japan.

- The city of Suzuka lies on the south east coast of the Japanese main island, Honshu, and is part of the Mie Prefecture. Suzuka's commerce is focused on food, textiles and the Honda assembly plants. Today the city is home to an estimated 184,000 inhabitants. Suzuka is also home to a medical university and Buddhist temples & Shinto shrines.

- The circuit sits right in the middle of Suzuka Land - a theme park built to entertain the families and workers from the nearby Honda factory.

- Contained within its figure-of-eight layout - which is unique in Formula One - is every conceivable type of corner - from the super tight Spoon Curve to the high speed 130R.

- During practice for the 2000 Japanese Grand Prix the Formula One paddock experienced a weak earthquake.

- In 2002 Ralf Schumacher and Montoya qualified fifth and sixth. The German ran in third position before retiring due to an engine failure. Montoya finished fourth.

- Michael Schumacher took in 2002 pole position (1.31,317 min), claimed the race's fastest lap (1.36,125 min) and won the Grand Prix.

- The circuit measures 5.807 kilometres. The race duration is 53 laps (307.573 km). Race start time on Sunday, the 12th October 2003, will be 2:30 pm local time. This equates to 07:30hrs CET and 06:30hrs BST.
 
 
Message Board

Bookmark or share this story with: