Lets have proper thread this time.
Circuit changes since 2012
All following times in local(GMT +9) time
FRIDAY
Practice session 1 10.00-11.30
Practice session 2 14.00-15.30
Press conference 16.00
SATURDAY
Practice session 3 11.00-12.00
Qualifying 14.00-15.00
Followed by unilateral and press conference
SUNDAY
Drivers’ Parade 13.30
Race 15.00
Followed by podium interviews and press conference
Fast facts
Thursday press conference at Suzuka
Lotus duo 'free to fight for positions'
Suzuka: 'The best track in the world'
Circuit changes since 2012
- The artificial grass around the outside of Turn One now starts approximately 50m earlier, replacing a damaged verge.
- The verge on the left in Turn 10 has been levelled and taken up to the tyre barrier and wall, which have also been raised.
- A new debris fence has been installed on the left between Turns Nine and 10.
- A new opening has been provided on the left in Turn 11. This allows a gravel recovery vehicle to be positioned there instead of a large crane.
- The verge on the right approaching Turn 13 has been laid with a one-metre wide strip of artificial grass, replacing a verge prone to erosion.
- The last part of the tyre barrier around the outside of Turn 14 has been extended right, to the end of the guardrail.
All following times in local(GMT +9) time
FRIDAY
Practice session 1 10.00-11.30
Practice session 2 14.00-15.30
Press conference 16.00
SATURDAY
Practice session 3 11.00-12.00
Qualifying 14.00-15.00
Followed by unilateral and press conference
SUNDAY
Drivers’ Parade 13.30
Race 15.00
Followed by podium interviews and press conference
Fast facts
- Suzuka strongly favours the front row. In 24 races, the winner has come from the front row 20 times. Fernando Alonso (2006) won from fifth, Alessandro Nannini(1989) and Nelson Piquet (1990) from sixth. The anomalous statistic is Kimi Räikkönen’s mesmerising charge from 17th in 2005, overtaking Giancarlo Fisichella on the final lap for the lead.
- Michael Schumacher is the stand-out driver at Suzuka with six victories. The seven-times Champion took his first Suzuk avictory forBenetton in 1995 and followed it with wins for Ferrari in 1997, 2000, 2001, 2002, and 2004.
- McLaren have the best record of any team at the Japanese Grand Prix with nine victories. James Hunt took the first in 1977 at Fuji,followed by wins at Suzuka for Ayrton Senna (1988, 1993), Gerhard Berger (1991), Mika Häkkinen (1998, 1999) and Kimi Räikkönen (2005). Lewis Hamilton won at Fuji in 2007, and Jenson Button at Suzuka in 2011.
- Last year, Vettel won the race with pole, fastest lap and victory having led every lap of the race. It was his second ‘grand chelem’. Recently he’s recorded a third in Singapore and a fourth last week in Korea. He is halfway to equalling Jim Clark, who collected eight.
Thursday press conference at Suzuka
Lotus duo 'free to fight for positions'
Suzuka: 'The best track in the world'