A lap of Suzuka

The “S bends” demand good throttle control and a constant rhythm to carry as much speed possible through to the long left hand Dunlop Curve. Accelerating around to the left as the G-forces build on the driver’s neck, the cars arrive at The Degner Curve at 290 kph is a fast right-hand bend - the vast expanse of gravel on the left-hand side of hints at its unforgiving nature. Turn 9 brings the track right, under the bridge.

Now the track speeds up, accelerating down the hill to the hairpin, which is reached at nearly 300 kph in top gear, the cars slow to only 60 kph as they crawl around to the left and using all the grip the tyres and traction control will afford them. They accelerate up through the gears and around the quick Turn 12 and down towards the Spoon Curve, a double right-hander taken smoothly in fourth gear at 180 kph.

The route back to the pits is now almost exclusively flat-out as the cars leave the Spoon Curve and build speed approaching the 130R. A fearsome corner in the league of Spa’s Blanchimont, the fastest drivers will tackle the 130R flat out in qualifying but it is a decision reserved only for the bravest as the corner sweeps left and can be taken at over 280 kph in top gear.

The final corner of Suzuka is also the slowest. A good run through 130R and cars can pull alongside competitors and try to “out-brake” them as the cars slow form 300 kph to only 60 kph for the right-left Casino Chicane. Out of the chicane and the cars only have to negotiate a gentle right-hand turn to come across the start and finish line once again.