2012 Formula 1 Japanese Grand Prix preview

After the thrilling and slightly incident-filled Singapore Grand Prix, Formula 1 moves swiftly on to Suzuka for what will be the 37th running of the Japanese Grand Prix. First held unofficially back in 1963 at Suzuka, and officially in 1976 at the Fuji Speedway, the Japanese Grand Prix has become a firm favorite throughout the F1 paddock.

Due largely to Lewis Hamilton’s surprise switch from McLaren to Mercedes for the 2013 season, the atmosphere within the paddock throughout this weekend will undoubtedly be electrifying. With the Drivers’ Championship still amazingly wide-open, the Japanese Grand Prix will most certainly once again produce some sensational action as the season draws to a conclusion.

First officially held in 1976 around the Fuji Speedway, when James Hunt clinched his one and only Drivers’ Championship in the unbearably wet conditions, the Japanese Grand Prix has seen some of the most iconic moments in the history of the sport. From Ayrton Senna and Alain Prost’s controversial collisions in 1989 and 1990, to the emotional crowning of Damon Hill as the first driver to follow in his father’s footsteps and become World Champion.

The Japanese Grand Prix has been held on only two circuits throughout its long and vibrant history, with Suzuka and the Fuji Speedway unquestionably producing some of the most exhilarating racing seen in Formula 1. Fuji hosted the first official Japanese Grand Prix, however in 1978 the race was removed from the calendar until 1987 when Suzuka brought Formula 1 back to Japan. From 1987 to 2006, the Japanese Grand Prix was held solely around Suzuka, and saw the likes of Ayrton Senna, Michael Schumacher, Damon Hill and Mika Hakkinen crowned Champions.

However, in 2007 the race was moved back to the Fuji Speedway, in what turned out to be one of the wettest races in the history of the sport. Lewis Hamilton took a memorable victory for McLaren, however a year later the Briton endured copious amounts of bad luck when the Japanese Grand Prix returned once again to the Fuji Speedway. This time Fernando Alonso took victory, before Suzuka once again became the sole host of the Japanese Grand Prix in 2009.

Michael Schumacher is unquestionably the most successful driver at the Japanese Grand Prix, like with many races on the F1 calendar. The once dominant German has won six times at Japan (’95, ’97, ’00, ’01, ’02 and ’04), his first coming with Benetton which enabled him to clinch only his second World Championship. McLaren are the most successful team in Japan, having won nine times with the likes of Ayrton Senna, Mika Hakkinen and Kimi Raikkonen behind the wheel (’77, ’88, ’91, ’93, ’98, ’99, ’05, ’07 and ’11)

The DRS zone for this weekend’s Japanese Grand Prix has remained in the same location as last season, albeit shortened slightly by 20 meters. The detection zone will be situated 50m before turn 16, and if a driver is lucky enough to be within a second of the driver in front at this stage, he may open his DRS flap at the Control Line which is after turn 18. Last season saw many overtaking maneuvers into turn 1 with the assistance of DRS, and the slightly modified overtaking zone should once again produce some thrilling action throughout the race.

Former F1 driver, Derek Warwick, will reprise his role as the FIA representative steward at this weekends Japanese Grand Prix, a role the Briton last carried out at the German Grand Prix earlier in the season. Warwick raced in 146 Grands Prix during career, racing for the likes of Renault and Lotus before moving to Sportscars and then the British Touring Car Championship in 1995, 1997 and 1998.

The Japanese Grand Prix has become renowned for producing some of the most exciting racing in Formula 1, and therefore is regarded by many fans and drivers alike as one of the best venues on the calendar. In this highly entertaining and still slightly unpredictable season, it’s likely that Suzuka will produce yet another exhilarating Japanese Grand Prix as this unique Formula 1 season finally draws to an epic conclusion.

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