Japanese GP Facts & Figures

By BMW WilliamsF1
October 1 2004

	Facts & Figures
	- The city of Suzuka lies on the south eastern coast of Japan's main island of Honshu and has a population of approximately 184,000. - Suzuka is regarded as one of the toughest circuits in Formula One. It is the only one with a figure of eight configuration and includes every type of turn, from the tight Spoon Corner to the high speed 130R. The race track is situated in the middle of Suzuka Land, a theme park built for the families of Honda employees. - 2004 marks the 18th Japanese Grand Prix to be held at Suzuka. Prior to Suzuka's first Grand Prix in 1987, two Japanese Grands Prix were held at the foot of Mount Fuji in 1976 and 1977. In 1994 and 1995, the Pacific Grand Prix was staged at Japan's Aida circuit. - On the circuit's inauguration in 1987, Nelson Piquet claimed his third World Drivers' title driving a Williams, while Gerhard Berger, in a Ferrari, took the first victory. The 1994 Japanese Grand Prix was another memorable event for WiliamsF1. In a race that was abandoned due to heavy rain, Damon Hill beat Michael Schumacher, putting him level in the points table with Schumacher and therefore keeping the title contest open until the final race in Adelaide. In 1996, Damon Hill took his third win for WilliamsF1 at Suzuka. - During the practice session of the 2000 Japanese Grand Prix weekend, the Formula One paddock was shaken by aftershocks from an earthquake. - In 2003, the BMW WilliamsF1 Team travelled to Suzuka with a slim chance of winning the Constructors' Championship. However, Ralf Schumacher's prospects of a good result were seriously compromised during qualifying when the onset of rain prevented him from posting a good lap time. He consequently started from 19th on the grid and, though he managed to set a new lap record of 1:33.408m, he crossed the line in twelfth place. His team-mate, Juan Pablo Montoya, qualified second on a dry track but was forced to retire from the lead on lap nine of the race due to a hydraulics problem. - Rubens Barrichello claimed pole position in 2003 with a lap time of 1:31.713m. He went on to win the Grand Prix therefore securing the Constructors' Championship for Ferrari. - A lap of Suzuka measures 5.807 kilometres while the total race distance is 307.573 km (53 laps). The Grand Prix starts at 14.30hrs local time on Sunday 10th October.

Click image for HP F1 Site