LEGENDS OF SUZUKA
The Japanese Grand Prix race is an F1 fan favourite. What makes it so special?
This weekend marks the 49th running of the Japanese Formula 1 Grand Prix. Held since 1967 at Fuji, in 1987 it moved to Suzuka for 20 straight years, before returning as host since 2009.
It has become one of the most popular events with fans, thanks in part to Honda powering Red Bull and RB teams with Japanese driver Yuki Tsunoda. The Suzuka Japanese Grand Prix has also been the stage for countless moments of triumph, heartbreak, tragedy and drama throughout its storied history. These three moments stand as testament to the enduring legacy of one of the most iconic races in the world of motorsport.
Senna vs. Prost: The Duel of Champions
It was the 1989 Japanese Grand Prix, a race that would go down in history as one of the most contentious battles between two titans of Formula 1: Ayrton Senna and Alain Prost. The championship hung in the balance as the two McLaren teammates fought for supremacy at the second-last race of the season — both races Senna had to win to claim his secondconsecutive title.
As the race unfolded, tensions reached a boiling point. Senna, desperate to secure victory and keep his championship hopes alive, attempted a daring overtake on Prost at the final chicane, resulting in a collision that sent both cars careening off the track into the run-off area. Prost retired on the spot, but Senna was pushstarted and rejoined the race, eventually winning.
However, controversy erupted as race officials disqualified Senna — not for his dubious driving, but for cutting the chicane in the process of restarting, along with a fine of £100,000 — the French governing body FISA handing the 1989 F1 championship to Frenchman Prost.
Schumacher: Mastery in the Rain
Fast-forward to 2000, and Suzuka witnessed another iconic moment, this time at the hands of the legendary Michael Schumacher.
Mid-way through the race, the damp circuit tested the skills of even the most seasoned drivers, but Schumacher showcased his mastery in adverse conditions.
Schumacher’s Ferrari and Ross Brawn’s strategy jumped them from second behind Mika Hakkinen, to first, a well-deserved victory and solidifying his status as one of the greatest drivers of all time — also earning him his third world championship title and first with Ferrari since joining them in 1996, breaking a 21-year drought for the Italian brand.
Schumacher would go on to win a total of six Japan Grands Prix, still the most to this day, one ahead of Lewis Hamilton.
Hamilton’s Championship Triumph
Speaking of Hamilton, in 2018, Suzuka bore witness to a historic moment as Lewis Hamilton all but securing his fifth World Championship title. The race itself was a masterclass in precision driving, with Hamilton claiming his 80th pole position and navigating the challenging circuit with the poise and skill of a true champion and winning by 13 seconds, along with his fourth of the previous five Japanese Grands Prix.
As he crossed the finish line, Hamilton’s remarkable achievement put him just a few points short of locking up his championship title with four rounds remaining — eventually taking him another two rounds. With his fifth F1 title, Hamilton joined an elite group of drivers, etching his name alongside the likes of Juan Manuel Fangio and Schumacher in the pantheon of Formula 1 greats.
What will the 2024 Japanese F1 bring us? With Verstappen bouncing back from his DNF in Australia and Sainz on a roll, here’s hoping there’s some historic action to match.