A guide to the Japanese Grand Prix at Suzuka International Circuit

Few tracks can hold a candle to Suzuka Circuit's unique combination of layout, history, mysticism, thrills and spills, all of which have contributed to making the home of the Japanese Grand Prix a firm favourite amongst fans and drivers alike.

The only figure of eight circuit on the Formula 1 calendar features every type of corner imaginable and in this age of so many driver assists, remains one of the few circuits that truly puts a racer to the test.

The track might be narrow, making overtaking tricky, but still provides a high-speed white knuckle ride, featuring one of the fastest corners of the year, 130R, the distinctive S curves, changing topography and infamous crossover.

As if the circuit and adjacent theme park didn't provide enough thrills, Suzuka's place on the schedule means the track has been the site of 12 title deciders. 

No circuit has seen more F1 champions crowned, some in memorable style with Alain Prost and Ayrton Senna involved in two controversial finishes, while Max Verstappen clinched his second title at Suzuka in 2022.

Suzuka International Circuit stats

Opened	1962
First F1 race	1987
Lap length	5.807 km (3.608 mi)
F1 lap record	1:30:983 – Lewis Hamilton (2019)
Number of corners	18
DRS Zones	1

Where is Suzuka International Circuit?

The Suzuka Circuit can be found nestled in Japan's Mie Prefecture, 30 miles south of the nation's fourth largest city, Nagoya. 

Surrounded by car manufacturers and located next to a theme park, which is why cars are often pictured with a Ferris Wheel behind them, the changing terrain of the area makes for a dramatic setting for a race track to be squeezed into.

Key corners at Suzuka International Circuit

At 5.807km, Suzuka is currently one of the longest circuit on the Formula 1 calendar, although the high-speed nature of the track means it doesn't take long to get round.

Suzuka features 18 corners, some of them synonymous with Formula 1, including the 130R, Spoon curve, Degner and Dunlop. 

Esses (Turns 3-7)

Suzuka's famous Esses are glorious yet extremely unforgiving.

Beginning at Turn 3, the Esses are a series of sweeping bends from left to right, requiring smooth throttle control, precise steering corrections and a flowing racing line.

One mistake impacts your entry to the subsequent corner and ultimately costs time through sector one.

Spoon Curve (Turns 13-14)

Mastering the Spoon Curve is vital if a driver is to get the best run down to 130R.

Consisting of two left-handed corners, entry into Turn 13 is crucial before attempting to carry momentum into Turn 14 while hitting the apex.

130R (Turn 15)

One of the fastest corners in Formula 1, the 130R was the scene of Fernando Alonso's outrageous overtake of Michael Schumacher in the 2005 Japanese Grand Prix.

Drivers now approach the left-hander at close to 320 km/h in eighth gear and while it's no longer quite the challenge that it was a few decades ago, it still requires the utmost precision to maximise lap time.

Interesting Facts about Suzuka International Circuit

• Suzuka is the only circuit on the F1 calendar to have a figure of eight layout.
• The track was originally requested by Soichiro Honda, head of Honda in the 1950s, as he felt his company needed its own test track.
• Despite 22 Japanese drivers competing in Formula One, none of them have been able to take the top spot at their home race.
• NASCAR held a pair of exhibition races on a modified version of the track in 1996 and 1997.
• There have been 12 occasions where a world champion has been crowned at Suzuka, including in five consecutive seasons between 1987 and 1991.

How to Buy Tickets for the Japanese Grand Prix

Tickets for the Japanese Grand Prix can be purchased through the official Formula 1 website, authorised ticket vendors, or at the Suzuka International Circuit's official website.

Prices and availability vary based on seating preferences and the different event packages that are also available.