Japanese Grand Prix
| Suzuka Circuit (2003–present) | |
 | |
| Race information | |
|---|---|
| Number of times held | 45 |
| First held | 1963 |
| Most wins (drivers) |  Michael Schumacher (6) |
| Most wins (constructors) |  McLaren (9) |
| Circuit length | 5.807 km (3.608 mi) |
| Race length | 307.471 km (191.053 mi) |
| Laps | 53 |
| Last race (2019) | |
| Pole position | |
| |
| Podium | |
| Fastest lap | |
| |
The Japanese Grand Prix is a race the FIA Formula One World Championship calendar. Usually, this race is one of the last races of the season.
The Japanese Grand Prix has been hosted by both the Fuji Speedway and the Suzuka Circuit. Fuji Speedway is owned by Toyota and Suzuka Circuit is owned by their rival Honda. In July 2009, Toyota announced it would not host the race at Fuji Speedway in 2010 and beyond due to a downturn in the global economy.[1]
History
[change | change source]Inaugural races
[change | change source]The first Formula 1 Japanese Grand Prix, in 1976, was held at the Fuji Speedway, west of Yokohama. The race was to become famous for the battle between James Hunt and Niki Lauda for the championship. The race was held during monsoon rain conditions. Lauda had survived a near-fatal crash at the German Grand Prix earlier in the season. He withdrew from the Japanese Grand Prix fearing for his safety. Hunt finished third, and ended up winning championship by a margin of one point.
Hunt returned to win the second Japanese Grand Prix. There was a collision between Gilles Villeneuve and Ronnie Peterson in the race. Villeneuve's Ferrari flew off the track and killed two spectators.[2] The Japanese Grand Prix did not return to Formula One for another decade.
Return to Japan at Suzuka
[change | change source]Formula One returned to Japan in 1987. This time, it was hosted by the Suzuka Circuit, south west of Nagoya. The circuit was set inside a amusement park, and owned by Honda. Honda used the circuit as a test track. The Suzuka circuit was the first figure-eight race track in F1. One section of the track passes over the other on a bridge.
Alternating between Suzuka and Fuji
[change | change source]The FIA announced on 24 March 24 2006 that future races will again be held at Fuji Speedway. Fuji had been redesigned by Hermann Tilke.[3]
Formula One announced On 8 September 2007, that Fuji will alternate hosting the Japanese Grand Prix with Suzuka. This will start in 2009.[4]
Fuji Speedway withdraws
[change | change source]In July 2009, Toyota cited a global economic slump as the reason that the Japanese Grand Prix would not return to Fuji Speedway in 2010 and beyond. The speedway argued, according to the Associated Press, that "continuing to host F1 races could threaten the survival of the company." As a result, the 2010 Grand Prix will be held at Suzuka.[5]
Sponsors
[change | change source]Fuji Television Japanese Grand Prix 1987-2009
Winners of the Japanese Grand Prix
[change | change source]Repeat winners (drivers)
[change | change source]Drivers in bold are competing in the Formula One championship in the current season.
A pink background indicates an event which was not part of the Formula One World Championship.
| Wins | Driver | Years won |
|---|---|---|
| 6 | Michael Schumacher
|
1995, 1997, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2004 |
| 5 | Lewis Hamilton
|
2007, 2014, 2015, 2017, 2018 |
| 4 | Sebastian Vettel
|
2009, 2010, 2012, 2013 |
| 2 |  Motoharu Kurosawa
|
1969, 1973 |
 Gerhard Berger
|
1987, 1991 | |
 Ayrton Senna
|
1988, 1993 | |
| Damon Hill
|
1994, 1996 | |
 Mika Häkkinen
|
1998, 1999 | |
 Fernando Alonso
|
2006, 2008 |
Repeat winners (constructors)
[change | change source]Teams in bold are competing in the Formula One championship in the current season.
A pink background indicates an event which was not part of the Formula One World Championship.
| Wins | Constructor | Years won |
|---|---|---|
| 9 | McLaren
|
1977, 1988, 1991, 1993, 1998, 1999, 2005, 2007, 2011 |
| 7 |  Ferrari
|
1987, 1997, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004 |
| 6 | Mercedes
|
2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 |
| 4 | Red Bull
|
2009, 2010, 2012, 2013 |
| 3 | Benetton
|
1989, 1990, 1995 |
| Williams
|
1992, 1994, 1996 | |
| 2 | Lotus
|
1963, 1976 |
| Porsche
|
1964, 1967 | |
| Nissan
|
1968, 1969 | |
 Renault
|
2006, 2008 |
Repeat winners (engine manufacturers)
[change | change source]Manufacturers in bold are competing in the Formula One championship in the current season.
A pink background indicates an event which was not part of the Formula One World Championship.
| Wins | Manufacturer | Years won |
|---|---|---|
| 11 | Mercedes *
|
1998, 1999, 2005, 2007, 2011, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 |
| 10 | Renault
|
1992, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2006, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2012, 2013 |
| 7 | Ferrari
|
1987, 1997, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004 |
 Ford **
|
1963, 1972, 1976, 1977, 1989, 1990, 1993 | |
| 2 | Honda
|
1988, 1991 |
* Between 1998-2005 built by Ilmor
** Built by Cosworth
Formula One era – by year
[change | change source]
2020 Cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic 2021 Cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic 2022 Max Verstappen Red Bull-RBPT 2023 Max Verstappen Red Bull-Honda RBPT
Pre-Formula One era – by year
[change | change source]
| Year | Driver | Car | Location | Category | Report |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1963 | Peter Warr
|
Lotus 23-Ford[6] | Suzuka | Sports Cars | Report |
| 1964 | Michael Knight
|
Brabham BT9[7] | Formula Junior[7] | Report | |
| 1965 | Not held | ||||
| 1966 | Yoshikazu Sunako
|
Prince R380[8] | Fuji | Report | |
| 1967 | Tetsu Ikuzawa
|
Porsche 906[9] | Report | ||
| 1968 | Moto Kitano
|
Nissan R381-Chevrolet[10] | Report | ||
| 1969 | Motoharu Kurosawa
|
Nissan R382[11] | Report | ||
| 1970 | Not held | ||||
| 1971 | Kuniomi Nagamatsu
|
Mitsubishi Colt F2000[12] | Fuji | Report | |
| 1972 | John Surtees
|
Surtees TS10-Ford BDG[13] | Formula Libre[13] Formula Two[13] Formula 2000[13] |
Report | |
| 1973 | Motoharu Kurosawa
|
March | Report | ||
| 1974 | Not held | ||||
| 1975 | Masahiro Hasemi
|
March | Fuji | Report | |
Broadcasting
[change | change source]United Kingdom
[change | change source]References
[change | change source]- ↑ Kato, Taku (2009-07-07). "Toyota's Fuji Speedway Cancels Formula One Grand Prix From 2010". bloomberg.com. BLOOMBERG L.P. Retrieved 2010-08-10.
- ↑ Tomlin, Jim (2005-06-11). "Major incidents of fan deaths". St. Petersbrg Times. St. Petersburg Times. Archived from the original on 2012-10-11. Retrieved 2010-08-10.
- ↑ "Suzuka loses Japanese GP to Fuji". BBC News. 2006-03-24. Retrieved 2010-05-05.
- ↑ "Japanese Grand Prix to alternate between Fuji and Suzuka". formula1.com. Formula One Administration Ltd. 2007-10-08. Retrieved 2010-08-10.
- ↑ "Toyota to pull out of hosting 2010 Japan GP". Mainichi Daily News. 2009-07-07. Archived from the original on 2009-07-08. Retrieved 2009-07-07.
- ↑ GP Japan, 3.5.1963, www.racingsportscars.com Retrieved 19 June 2017
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 Brabham BT9, www.oldracingcars.com Retrieved 19 June 2017
- ↑ Prince R380-I (1966 : R380), www.nissan-global.com Archived 2021-01-17 at the Wayback Machine Retrieved 19 June 2017
- ↑ GP Japan, 3.5.1967, www.racingsportscars.com Retrieved 19 June 2017
- ↑ GP Japan, 3.5.1968, www.racingsportscars.com Retrieved 19 June 2017
- ↑ GP Japan, 10.10.1969, www.racingsportscars.com Retrieved 19 June 2017
- ↑ COLT F2000, www.mitsubishi-motors.co.jp Archived 6 January 2017 at the Wayback Machine Retrieved 19 June 2017
- ↑ 13.0 13.1 13.2 13.3 VII Grand Prix of Japan 1972, www.formula2.net Retrieved 19 June 2017