Track Info: | Past 15 years Winners: |
Length: 5.864 km
Nb of Laps: 53 (310.596 Km)
Best Lap:M. Schumacher - 1'36''125 (2002, Ferrari)
Record Pole:M. Schumacher - 1'31''317 (2002, Ferrari)
2002 Pole:M. Schumacher - 1'31''317 (Ferrari)
2002 Podium:M. Schumacher - R. Barrichello - K. Raikkonen
Informations: Suzuka Circuitland / SMSC 7992 Ino-cho, Suzuka-shi Mie 510-0295 - Japon Tel: +81593 78 1111 Fax: +81593 70 3603
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2002 : M. Schumacher (Ferrari)
2001 : M. Schumacher (Ferrari)
2000 : M. Schumacher (Ferrari)
1999 : M. Hakkinen (McLaren)
1998 : M. Hakkinen (McLaren)
1997 : M. Schumacher (Ferrari)
1996 : D. Hill (Williams)
1995 : M. Schumacher (Benetton)
1994 : D. Hill (Williams)
1993 : A. Senna (McLaren)
1992 : R. Patrese (Williams)
1991 : G. Berger (McLaren)
1990 : N. Piquet (Benetton)
1989 : A. Nannini (Benetton)
1988 : A. Senna (McLaren)
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Suzuka is a very tough and technical circuit,
with enormous crowds. It has been a huge event since 1987 when the Japanese
Grand Prix was reinstated to the calendar, due to Honda’s successful return,
this time as an engine supplier. In the shape of a figure eight, Suzuka has a
variety of fast and slow corners. It is loved by all the drivers, although
overtaking was made virtually impossible when the chicane before the pits was
tightened in 1991, spoiling the best passing opportunity that had been at the
end of the main straight. The 1987 race will be remembered best for the practice
accident that dashed Nigel Mansells’ title hopes. 1988 saw Senna take the win
from a very bad start, and the following year, he collided with his McLaren
teammate, Alain Prost, when battling for the lead. Although Senna crossed the
line first, he was later disqualified, handing the win to the Benetton of
Alessandro Nannini.
1990 saw Prost and Senna tangle again, although they
were now in different teams. Senna took the title, later admitting that he
deliberately caused the accident that took Prost out. Riccardo Patrese won his
last Grand Prix here in 92, after Nigel Mansell retired. Senna won again in 93,
dominating a wet/dry race, and afterwards he made headlines by punching
newcomer, Eddie Irvine after a dispute on the track.The 94 race was spectacular.
Rain struck, and with a string of accidents, it saw a pace car, and a stoppage.
After the restart, Damon Hill overcame Michael Schumachers advantage, to score
perhaps the hardest earned win of his career.
Damon Hill took an
emotional win that lead to him clinching the title here in 1996, with Michael
Schumacher winning in 97. Hakkinen took the win for McLaren in 98, where once
again the world title was decided in Japan. The Finn walked away from Japan like
Hill did two years before him, with his first championship title, an event he
recreated in 99.
2000 was a special event for millions of fans around the
globe as they watched Michael Schumacher take the win and with it the first
drivers crown for Ferrari in 21 years. The German was ecstatic and the crowd
went wild as the Ferrari ace crossed the line to become the 2000 Formula One
World Champion. That makes it four world titles that have been won here in the
past five years.