Round 3 of the 2025 F1 season takes us to the Japanense Grand Prix.
Everything You Need to Know About the Japanese Grand Prix
From the 4th to the 6th of April, F1 fans can expect thrilling action on one of the sport’s most challenging tracks.
The Schedule
| Date | Session | Time* |
|---|---|---|
| 4 Apr | Practice 1 | 11:30 – 12:30 |
| 4 Apr | Practice 2 | 15:00 – 16:00 |
| 5 Apr | Practice 3 | 11:30 – 12:30 |
| 5 Apr | Qualifying | 15:00 – 16:00 |
| 6 Apr | Race | 14:00 |
*Track Time
Origins
The Japanese Grand Prix first occurred as a sports car race at Suzuka Circuit in May 1963.
This event returned in 1964, marking the beginning of professional motor racing in Japan.
From 1965, for the next 8 editions, the race moved to Fuji Speedway.
At the time, the track was incomplete and featured a dangerous banked turn, Daiichi, which was later removed in 1974 due to a series of fatal crashes.
During this period, the event was contested across different motorsport categories, including F2, sports car racing, and Can-Am-style sprint races.
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F1 at Fuji Speedway
F1’s first Japanese Grand Prix took place in 1975 at Fuji Speedway.
This race became legendary as it decided the World Championship under torrential rain.
Niki Lauda, still recovering from his near-fatal accident earlier that year in Germany, withdrew due to the dangerous conditions, prioritising his safety over the title fight.
Emerson Fittipaldi and Carlos Pace also retired for similar reasons.
James Hunt, after recovering from a slow pit stop, managed to finish third, securing just enough points to win the championship by a single point over Lauda.
Mario Andretti won the Japanese Grand Prix in a Lotus, followed by Patrick Depailler in a Tyrrell P34.
Hunt claimed victory again the following year.
However, a tragic crash involving Gilles Villeneuve and Ronnie Peterson occurred. Villeneuve’s Ferrari somersaulted into a restricted area, killing two spectators.
While the event was scheduled to return in 1978, it was soon cancelled. F1 would not return to Japan until a decade later.
Suzuka Circuit
Japan was set to host a Grand Prix at Suzuka in April 1985, but the event was cancelled due to extensive renovations at the track.
When F1 eventually returned in 1987, Suzuka became the new home of the Japanese Grand Prix.
Designed by Dutch engineer John Hugenholtz and owned by Honda as a test facility, Suzuka became renowned for its unique figure-eight layout and challenging nature, earning popularity among drivers and fans alike.
Fuji Redevelopment and Return
In March 2006, the FIA announced that F1’s Japanese Grand Prix would return to Fuji Speedway.
The circuit had been renovated under Toyota’s ownership.
This decision was met with mixed reactions, as Suzuka was a driver favourite, whereas tracks redesigned by Hermann Tilke had received criticism.
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Return to Suzuka
By July 2009, Toyota announced it would no longer host the Grand Prix at Fuji, citing financial difficulties.
This meant the race returned to Suzuka in 2010, where it has remained since.
Tragedy struck the 2014 Japanese Grand Prix when heavy rain, worsened by an approaching typhoon, contributed to a horrific accident.
Adrian Sutil’s car crashed at the Dunlop Curve, and as marshals recovered it with a crane, Jules Bianchi lost control at the same spot and crashed into the vehicle.
The race was red-flagged immediately, and Bianchi was rushed to hospital, where he remained in a coma until his passing nine months later.
His accident and tragic passing led to significant safety changes, including improved draning and repositioning of recovery vehicles.
Recent Years
After a three-year absence, the Japanese Grand Prix returned to F1 in 2022, though torrential rain again caused issues.
Carlos Sainz crashed early on, leading to a red flag. Controversy arose when a recovery vehicle was deployed while cars were still on the track.
Pierre Gasly came dangerously close to colliding with the vehicle, prompting widespread criticism from the drivers.
The Japanese Grand Prix will take place at the Suzuka Circuit until at least 2019.
Key Data
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| First Grand Prix | 1987 |
| Number of Laps | 53 |
| Circuit Length | 5.807 km |
| Race Distance | 307.471 km |
| Lap Record | 1:30.983 – Lewis Hamilton (2019) |
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Main Photo
Credit: IMAGO / HochZwei
Recording Date: 07.04.2024
