SUZUKA CIRCUIT

The Suzuka circuit is old-skool and popular with just about everyone, the fans, drivers and those who work in the sport. It’s an important round in the Formula 1 season, especially for our power unit partner, Honda. The Suzuka circuit is actually owned by the Japanese company and was built alongside an amusement park. It has hosted the F1 circus since 1987.

Michael Schumacher holds the record for the number of wins here, with six. The ap record was set by Kimi Raikkonen back in 2005.

Features of the Suzuka International racing course

Suzuka Circuit features all corner types from slow ones like the Hairpin to thrilling high speed turns like the 130R. The 5.8 kilometre layout consists of 18 corners, ten to the right and eight to the left. It is the only circuit on the calendar to feature a figure of eight layout.

The nature of the Suzuka track means that the energy recovery systems are particularly important, with the hybrid systems ensuring high power outputs, according to simulation work, worth 3 seconds a lap. In short, everything has to work perfectly if you don’t want to be left behind!

All races at the Suzuka Circuit are demanding and the power unit has to work hard, with engines running at maximum revs for around 65% of the lap. On top of that, on the 1.2 kilometre-long main straight, the drivers apply full throttle for around 15 seconds, meaning that power and traction will be the key factors at the Japanese Grand Prix.

FIRST GRAND PRIX: 1987
NUMBER OF LAPS: 53
CIRCUIT LENGTH: 5.807 KM
RACE DISTANCE: 307.471 KM
LAP RECORD: 1:31.540 – Kimi Räikkönen (2005)