Suzuka is a venue like no other. The fast speeds, insane corners and varied elevation make it one of the most demanding but rewarding circuits to drive on the calendar.
A unique feature of this Japanese track is the figure of eight layout, meaning it can be run clockwise or anticlockwise! The crossover is an unusual part of this 5.807km circuit, but it was initially drafted as having three points where the track passed over itself.
The configuration also makes it beneficial for the Pirelli tyres, as drivers will have more even tyre wear thanks to the almost-balanced load experienced on ten right-hand and eight left-hand corners. However, it’s still a track that is incredibly tough on tyre stress, with asphalt abrasion and downforce being high. As a result, Pirelli will be bringing along the three hardest compounds - C1, C2 and C3 - for the challenge, the same tyre selection we had earlier this season in Bahrain.
Over the 53 laps, Lewis and George will be exposed to lots of elevation change. The run to the first turn is downhill, and they’ll need to climb back up to go through the esses.
Towards the end of the lap drivers will experience the iconic 130R corner, named after its metric radius. The left-hander is often approached at speeds close to 200mph (320 kmh) and in eighth gear, making it one of the fastest corners of the year, before they’re forced to slow down and prepare for the final chicane.
There’s also only one DRS zone, a dramatic contrast to Albert Park, where we recently raced, that has four over a lap.
As well as its fantastic characteristics which drivers adore, it’s also a place that has crowned the Drivers’ World Champion a record 12 times, the most of any circuit.
Stat Sheet: Japanese Grand Prix
This figure-of-eight layout is beneficial for tyre wear. It creates a more even balance between left and right-hand corners (10 being right-handers and eight to the left), distributing load more equally between tyres.
The first corner doesn't require any braking on entry. In Qualifying, drivers don't hit the brakes until the car is cornering at close to 5G.
That helps to generate some of the highest steering wheel torques of the entire season.
The vast majority of the first sector at Suzuka is spent cornering. From Turn 1 until the exit of Turn 7, the steering wheel is moving almost continuously for nearly 2km of the lap.
Just 1.2km of the lap is spent driving in a straight line. Most of the 5.807km sees some lateral g-force going through the car.
The lack of straights also means that Suzuka is just one of four circuits on the calendar that has a solitary DRS zone.
130R is one of F1's quickest corners, taken at 295km/h (183mph). Turn 11 meanwhile is one of the slowest at 60kmh (37mph).
The braking zone for Turn 11 is particularly challenging. Drivers must hit the brakes midway through the fast Turn 10. They are cornering at close to 3.5G while turning right before the hairpin left. Lockups are therefore common.
In contrast to Singapore, brakes have a slightly easier time at Suzuka. There are only two heavy braking events on the track. Brake duty and wear are therefore among the lowest we see across the year.
Suzuka has one of the highest mass sensitivities of the season. That means that carrying more fuel is more penalising in terms of lap time and performance.