Formula 1 - Japanese Grand Prix
Japanese Grand Prix
Display & Timezone
Display & Timezone
Showing times for Europe/Rome
Timezone
Europe - Rome
27 - 29 Mar
Completed
Suzuka International Racing Course
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Upcoming in F1
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Miami Grand Prix
1 - 4 May
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Canadian Grand Prix
22 - 25 May
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Monaco Grand Prix
5 - 7 Jun
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Upcoming at Suzuka International Racing Course
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Suzuka 1
Super Formula
22 - 24 May
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SUZUKA
Super GT
22 - 23 Aug
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Suzuka 1000km
Intercontinental GT Challenge
11 - 13 Sep
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Suzuka 2
Super Formula
20 - 22 Nov
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Track Info
Suzuka International Racing Course - Suzuka, Japan
Permanent road course with figure eight layout - clockwise overall - opened 1962
When was the track built?
Commissioned by Honda as a proving ground and designed by John Hugenholtz, Suzuka was completed in 1962. Early car races included a sportscar Grand Prix that helped establish the venue, and by 1963 the Japan Grand Prix drew huge crowds. The circuit became a modern F1 staple from 1987 onward and remains Honda’s spiritual home track.
Major safety updates over time include reworking 130R and the Casio Triangle in the early 2000s, plus further run off changes and recovery vehicle procedures after 2014. Despite updates, Suzuka has kept its fast flow and character.
When was its first race?
The venue’s first race action came in 1962 when the new circuit opened to national competition. In May 1963, Suzuka staged the first Japan Grand Prix for sports cars, the country’s headline event at the time.
What's the circuit like?
- Rhythm and commitment: The Esses demand precision through a flowing left right sequence where a small error snowballs. Degner 1 arrives fast over the curb and funnels immediately into Degner 2 under braking.
- Spoon and 130R: Spoon’s double left determines speed all the way to 130R. Modern F1 cars take 130R with minimal lift, but wind and traffic can make it sketchy.
- Overtaking: DRS on the main straight sets up moves into Turn 1. Other hotspots include the Hairpin after Degner and the Casio Triangle, especially after safety car restarts.
- Tyres and balance: The mix of long loaded corners left and right taxes both front and rear axles. Suzuka rewards a neutral car and confident high speed rotation.
- Benchmarks: Recent poles have dipped into the 1:26.9 range. The official race lap record stands at 1:30.965 from 2025.
Lap records and benchmarks (by series)
- Formula 1 (race lap): 1:30.965 - Andrea Kimi Antonelli, 2025 Japanese GP - current 5.807 km layout.
- Super Formula: 1:37.850 - Naoki Yamamoto, SF19, 2020.
- Super GT GT500: 1:47.135 - Teppei Natori, Nissan Z GT500, 2024.
- GT3 reference: ~2:01.4 - Porsche 911 GT3 R (992), 2024 GT World Challenge Asia.
Why go?
Suzuka is a bucket list classic - fast corners you can feel from the stands, devoted fans with creative grandstand culture, and on site attractions like the Motopia amusement park and a motorsport museum. The autumn F1 date usually means mild weather, and the trackside food courts are excellent by any standard.
Where's the best place to watch?
- S Curves and Dunlop: See the full rhythm of the Esses and who has the most front end grip. Great for photography and consistency spotting.
- Degner 1 and 2: High commitment entry followed by a traction test onto the underpass straight. Mistakes here punish lap time immediately.
- Spoon Curve: Critical exit that defines top speed to 130R. Overtakes begin with a better drive out of Spoon.
- 130R to Casio Triangle: Feel the aero through 130R and then watch late braking lunges into the final chicane with a view of the main straight launch.
Not just F1: Japanese and world series at Suzuka
Super GT: Headline GT racing with GT500 and GT300 classes. Suzuka hosts the GT 300 km race and, on select years, longer endurance formats.
Super Formula: Japan’s top single seater series races here, often deciding titles thanks to Suzuka’s high speed challenge.
Suzuka 1000 km: Historic endurance race revived for 2025 within the Intercontinental GT Challenge, bringing international GT3 teams back to the summer classic.
Suzuka 8 Hours: Iconic motorcycle endurance race on the FIM EWC calendar, drawing factory superbike lineups and massive crowds.
Heritage highlights: Suzuka has also hosted NASCAR exhibition races, FIA GT, WTCR and more, underlining its versatility.
Hotels & Accommodation
Japanese Grand Prix
27 - 29 Mar
Completed
Suzuka International Racing Course
Track Info
Suzuka International Racing Course - Suzuka, Japan
Permanent road course with figure eight layout - clockwise overall - opened 1962
When was the track built?
Commissioned by Honda as a proving ground and designed by John Hugenholtz, Suzuka was completed in 1962. Early car races included a sportscar Grand Prix that helped establish the venue, and by 1963 the Japan Grand Prix drew huge crowds. The circuit became a modern F1 staple from 1987 onward and remains Honda’s spiritual home track.
Major safety updates over time include reworking 130R and the Casio Triangle in the early 2000s, plus further run off changes and recovery vehicle procedures after 2014. Despite updates, Suzuka has kept its fast flow and character.
When was its first race?
The venue’s first race action came in 1962 when the new circuit opened to national competition. In May 1963, Suzuka staged the first Japan Grand Prix for sports cars, the country’s headline event at the time.
What's the circuit like?
- Rhythm and commitment: The Esses demand precision through a flowing left right sequence where a small error snowballs. Degner 1 arrives fast over the curb and funnels immediately into Degner 2 under braking.
- Spoon and 130R: Spoon’s double left determines speed all the way to 130R. Modern F1 cars take 130R with minimal lift, but wind and traffic can make it sketchy.
- Overtaking: DRS on the main straight sets up moves into Turn 1. Other hotspots include the Hairpin after Degner and the Casio Triangle, especially after safety car restarts.
- Tyres and balance: The mix of long loaded corners left and right taxes both front and rear axles. Suzuka rewards a neutral car and confident high speed rotation.
- Benchmarks: Recent poles have dipped into the 1:26.9 range. The official race lap record stands at 1:30.965 from 2025.
Lap records and benchmarks (by series)
- Formula 1 (race lap): 1:30.965 - Andrea Kimi Antonelli, 2025 Japanese GP - current 5.807 km layout.
- Super Formula: 1:37.850 - Naoki Yamamoto, SF19, 2020.
- Super GT GT500: 1:47.135 - Teppei Natori, Nissan Z GT500, 2024.
- GT3 reference: ~2:01.4 - Porsche 911 GT3 R (992), 2024 GT World Challenge Asia.
Why go?
Suzuka is a bucket list classic - fast corners you can feel from the stands, devoted fans with creative grandstand culture, and on site attractions like the Motopia amusement park and a motorsport museum. The autumn F1 date usually means mild weather, and the trackside food courts are excellent by any standard.
Where's the best place to watch?
- S Curves and Dunlop: See the full rhythm of the Esses and who has the most front end grip. Great for photography and consistency spotting.
- Degner 1 and 2: High commitment entry followed by a traction test onto the underpass straight. Mistakes here punish lap time immediately.
- Spoon Curve: Critical exit that defines top speed to 130R. Overtakes begin with a better drive out of Spoon.
- 130R to Casio Triangle: Feel the aero through 130R and then watch late braking lunges into the final chicane with a view of the main straight launch.
Not just F1: Japanese and world series at Suzuka
Super GT: Headline GT racing with GT500 and GT300 classes. Suzuka hosts the GT 300 km race and, on select years, longer endurance formats.
Super Formula: Japan’s top single seater series races here, often deciding titles thanks to Suzuka’s high speed challenge.
Suzuka 1000 km: Historic endurance race revived for 2025 within the Intercontinental GT Challenge, bringing international GT3 teams back to the summer classic.
Suzuka 8 Hours: Iconic motorcycle endurance race on the FIM EWC calendar, drawing factory superbike lineups and massive crowds.
Heritage highlights: Suzuka has also hosted NASCAR exhibition races, FIA GT, WTCR and more, underlining its versatility.
