HISTORY OF THE CIRCUIT

Suzuka Circuit, officially known as Suzuka International Racing Course, is a highly esteemed motorsport track located in Suzuka City, Mie Prefecture, Japan. It was designed by Dutch architect John Hugenholtz and opened in 1962 as a test track for Honda.

The circuit is particularly famous for its unique figure-eight layout, which is the only one of its kind in the Formula One calendar. Suzuka made its debut on the Formula One calendar in 1987. The first F1 race held at Suzuka was notable for the championship decider between Nelson Piquet and Nigel Mansell, with Piquet securing his third and final world title after Mansell crashed during practice and was unable to race. The circuit quickly gained popularity among drivers and fans due to its challenging layout and technical demands.

One of the most famous moments in Suzuka's history is the intense rivalry between Ayrton Senna and Alain Prost. In 1989, a collision between the two at the chicane ended Prost’s race and led to Senna being disqualified, which handed the championship to Prost. The following year, another collision at the first corner saw Senna claim the title in a controversial fashion. In 1999 Mika Häkkinen confirmed his title at Suzuka, meanwhile, Michael Schumacher did the same a year later.

The circuit has seen numerous modifications over the years to improve safety. Notable changes include the addition of the Casio Triangle chicane in 1983 and the re-profiling of the 130R turn in 2002 following a serious crash. The Degner curve, originally one long turn, was reconfigured into two separate turns to enhance safety. Suzuka has hosted many significant F1 moments and continues to be a favourite among drivers for its demanding nature. It has also been the site of tragic events, such as the accident in 2014 that led to the death of driver Jules Bianchi.

Despite these incidents, Suzuka remains a beloved venue, known for its thrilling races and passionate fans. In addition to Formula One, Suzuka hosts various other motorsport events, including the Super GT series and the Suzuka 8 Hours motorcycle endurance race. The circuit's versatility and challenging design make it a premier destination in the world of motorsports.

The last 10 winners of the F1 Grand Prix races held in Suzuka

2012: Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull)
2013: Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull)
2014: Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes)
2015: Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes)
2016: Nico Rosberg (Mercedes)
2017: Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes)
2018: Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes)
2019: Valtteri Bottas (Mercedes)
2022: Max Verstappen (Red Bull)
2023: Max Verstappen (Red Bull)