The Japanese Grand Prix is one of the favourites on the calendar for drivers, with a mix of passionate fans and a circuit that feels truly awesome to drive.
It has so much history, hosting its first Grand Prix back in 1987, but here are some things you might not know about this iconic race weekend.
The 18-turn layout of Suzuka is one of the most recognisable among fans, mainly because of one feature: the ‘crossover’.
Yep, there is a section of the track where cars can pass on top of each other as there is an underpass and a bridge which are both part of the lap.
It is a really unique feature, and it is the only FIA Grade 1 licensed track to have this quirk, after Fiorano in Italy was downgraded a couple of years ago.
Original drawings apparently saw three crossovers over a single lap, which would have been a cool addition, but we love this figure of eight layout just the way it is.
The venue was designed by John Hugenholz, who was also designed Zandvoort and Jarama, with Formula E having just visited the Madrid-based circuit this past weekend.
The town of Suzuka is also paired with Le Mans in France, so the motorsport connection runs deep!
Completing a lap of this rapid Suzuka circuit has often been compared to a rollercoaster, but did you know you do not need to go far for the real thing? Right next to the circuit is a very popular theme park!
The Amusement park is a great day out, whether you are a racing fan or not. There are fun car-themed rides and karts you can zoom around in like the ‘Putti Grand Prix’ or the ‘Duel GP,’ as well as a water park and more traditional rollercoasters.
Suzuka also offers special family discounts over race weekends, and you can even watch on-track action from the theme park.
If you keep an eye out on Mercedes’ social media this weekend, you might even be able to spot some rides in the back of our photos from Kimi and George when they are in the car.
We even took our former Third Driver, Valtteri Bottas, on one of the rides last season and stuck a go-pro on his head which resulted in true TikTok perfection.
Eau Rouge, Maggots and Beckett, Loews Hairpin, all iconic corners in motorsport. Another one for the list is 130R which is a true thrill for drivers, but did you know there is a baseball field behind it?
Baseball is one of Japan’s national sports, and the Honda Dream Stadium is a great reminder of that even if it is tucked away around the back of the circuit.
Honda has established three big baseball teams in Japan since the 1960s, and even though this is a small pitch to play on and can be spotted on Google Maps from above!
The town of Suzuka, home to the circuit, is nestled in a pocket of Japan called the Mie Prefecture. This area is a popular tourism destination, and the third largest tea producer in the country.
Teas have been produced at the base of the mountains in Suzuka for centuries, with over 100 manufacturers since the 10th century and on over a thousand hectares of land.
Suzuka has its own tea, which was given as a gift to the media a few seasons ago. It contains a tea leaf variety called Kabusecha (かぶせ茶), named after the term ‘kabuseru,’ which means to cover on top, like a hat on your head.
It is given this name as the tea plant is sheltered by straw, from anywhere from two to 25 days, whilst the younger leaves are being produced and as a result does not release any bitterness.
Plans for this famous Japanese motor racing circuit was first proposed in 1959 by car manufacturer Honda. A subsidiary group of the Honda Motor Group (Honda Mobilityland) still owns the venue to this day.
As well as being a place to test their motorcycles and automotive machines, Suzuka was also to be a center for research and education concerning motor science and technology.
Originally planned to sit among rice fields, it ended up being built on mountainous land and was completed in September of 1962 to become Japan's first full-scale, international-level racing course.
It has hosted 35 Grand Prix since first appearing on the calendar in 1987. It has remained almost unchanged during that time, aside from a slight tweak at 130R and at the Casio Triangle chicane ahead of the 2003 event.
Mercedes engines remain the most successful here, with 10 victories and 29 podiums to our name at Suzuka.
Our power units have also raced the most laps of anyone in Formula 1 around this 5.807km track, as well as laps led and points earned. We also have the lap record, a 1:30.965, set by Kimi in 2025.