Poll: Official Japanese Grand Prix 2025 Thread - Suzuka Circuit, Suzuka - Race 3/24

Rate the JA race out of ten

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chrismscotland

chrismscotland

chrismscotland

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Suzuka​

When was the track built?​

In 1962. Soichiro Honda, whose car company you may have heard of, was a man with big ambitions. Seeking to turn Honda into an automotive powerhouse, he decided his company should have its own test track. Dutchman John Hugenholtz got the nod, and drew up the now-iconic ‘crossover’ Suzuka track – although original drawings saw the track pass over and under itself a full three times, which would have been sweet!

When was its first Grand Prix?​

Despite most people agreeing that Suzuka is a worthy successor to sliced bread in the ‘Best Thing’ stakes, the Japanese track was a relative latecomer to the F1 calendar, making its first appearance in 1987. Nigel Mansell would remember that weekend well, after he suffered a crash in qualifying that ruled him out of the race, gifting that year’s championship to his bitter rival Nelson Piquet.

What’s the circuit like?​

Show us a racing a driver who doesn’t love Suzuka, and we’ll show you a liar. The high-speed track remains one of the ultimate driving challenges, with the snaking ‘S’ Curves, the two commitment-rewarding Degners and the white-knuckle ride of 130R all highlights in a series of highlights at what is one of F1’s seminal tracks. And hey, it’s got a crossover, which is always cool, right?

Why go?​

A track that has witnessed an unfair share of legendary F1 moments (not least between Messrs Prost and Senna), a unique set of fans with an unabashed commitment to playing Formula 1 dress-up, a Ferris wheel, and great food. Okay, for most of us it’s a long slog to get there, but surely a better question is: ‘Why not go?’

Where is the best place to watch?​

Take your pick. Grandstands D and E overlook the ‘S’ Curves, giving you an amazing chance to watch downforce and commitment working in perfect harmony as the drivers negotiate the sinuous turns. Elsewhere, the left flank of Grandstand G places you at the inside of 130R, which should be a bit of a treat, while if it’s overtaking you want, Grandstand I will give you a view of the incident-attracting Hairpin.


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Channel 4 Highlights
Saturday 5th April 2025 - Japanese GP Qualifying Session Highlights - 10:30
Sunday 6th April 2025 - Japanese Grand Prix Highlights - 13:00

Suzuka Circuit Map

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Weather Forecast (As at 31/03/2024)

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Race Highlights
Championship Standings after China (Round 2)
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2025 F1 Race Calendar

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Last one until Vegas? I think, due to its Saturday evening time over there.

Always excited for Suzuka, so much mid 90s nostalgia for me. Especially watching Damon Hill win the 96 WDC there.
 
Scam said:
Tinfoil hat time… how would we ever know if they just painted Yuki’s old Racing Bull in the same livery as Max’s car :D
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Because sites like F1 Technical exist, where people scrutinise every little fin, flap or bolt that has moved between races, and even tracking down much older model cars that are re-liveried for publicity shots etc
 
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I don't know how many of you play any racing games (whether the F1 series or GT7 or ACC etc.) but this track is just the most enjoyable to race around on. I'm properly rubbish at the opening sector but the whole track is really enjoyable. I spent a good amount of time just racing around it on Asseto Corsa Competizione as it always felt the most fun in a GT3 car, whereas the F1 cars basically turn corners into straights.
 
Rain on the Sunday, huh? Could make things spicy if it falls during the race, and even if it only falls in the morning/overnight it'll make the track green and slippery. Good good.

Yuki is obviously the story of the weekend but if his first go in that Red Bull is in wet conditions, or just conditions very different from practice, it's going to be a brutal introduction for him. He needs all the luck that crowd can spray in his direction.

t2na said:
I don't know how many of you play any racing games (whether the F1 series or GT7 or ACC etc.) but this track is just the most enjoyable to race around on.
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I always bloody hated Suzuka because it is (used to be, anyway) the only track which crosses itself and the amount of special case code that needed to be written for the AI, collision, minimap, and display of gaps for this one track was nuts.
 
Armageus said:
Because sites like F1 Technical exist, where people scrutinise every little fin, flap or bolt that has moved between races, and even tracking down much older model cars that are re-liveried for publicity shots etc
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I still think they should try it ;)
 
t2na said:
I don't know how many of you play any racing games (whether the F1 series or GT7 or ACC etc.) but this track is just the most enjoyable to race around on. I'm properly rubbish at the opening sector but the whole track is really enjoyable. I spent a good amount of time just racing around it on Asseto Corsa Competizione as it always felt the most fun in a GT3 car, whereas the F1 cars basically turn corners into straights.
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I've been using F1 sims since the very first Geoff Crammond game, not sure when Japan was introduced as a circuit but I've been playing them ever since. Now have my own replica of the Formula 1 Ferrari 2011 wheel from Thrustmaster and pedals.
Yeah if you can get into the way the track flows fast lap times can be achieved.
 
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