Automobile Grand Prix of Japan

The Grand Prix of the Japan is a automobile race which counts for the championship of the world of Formule 1 since 1976. The Grand Prix takes place with Suzuka since 1987. In 2007 and 2008, it will turn over on the new circuit of Fuji, the Fuji Speedway, as in 1976 and 1977, to return in 2009 to Suzuka.

History

First dramatic in Fuji

It is into 1976 that the GP of Japan makes its appearance with the calendar of the championship of the world, on the rapid circuit traced near Mount-Fuji. Last test of the season, the GP accommodates the epilog of the duel between Niki Lauda and James Hunt. Because of the cloudburst which falls down on the track at the time of the departure, Lauda, miraculé of Nurburgring, prefers to give up as of the end of the first turn, leaving the free field to its English rival. But victim of a puncture in end of the road, this last is constrained with an insane increase and ends up tearing off the podium synonymous with world title in greatest confusion, so much so that believer to have very lost, it will be close to coming to the hands with his sport director Teddy Mayer. Symbol of confusion reigning during the race, the best turn will be allotted by error to the local beginner Masahiro Hasemi (on Kojima) whereas according to more reliable sources, it is Jacques Laffite which had been shown fastest.

F1 returns to Fuji in 1977 for a test without stake. But the race is marked by the fixing between Gilles Villeneuve and Ronnie Peterson. While falling down behind the safety fences, Ferrari of the Canadian kills two people located in an area closed at the public. After only two editions, the GP of Japan is striped international calendar.

Suzuka

The GP of Japan makes its reappearance later 10 years, in 1987. The return of F1 to Japan corresponds to the domination exerted by the motor mechanic Honda since 1985. It is besides on the sumptuous layout of Suzuka, property of Honda, that the GP is organized. Placed at the end of the championship (penultimate or last test), the GP of Japan regularly will play a decisive part for the attribution of the world title, and some of the most famous pages of Formula 1 will be written there. Let us quote in particular:

the GP 1987. Victim of a violent exit ramp to the tests, Nigel Mansell fractures several vertebrae, thus losing any chance to catch up with its fellow-member Nelson Piquet with the championship. The Brazilian one is thus crowned world champion.
the GP 1988. In spite of a completely missed departure, Ayrton Senna manages to go up then to double its fellow-member Alain Prost. It thus takes down a victory synonymous with world title.
the GP 1989. To some turns of the arrival, Senna places a remote attack on Alain Prost at the baffle. Prost closes the door, causing the fixing between the two pilots McLaren - Honda. Senna manages to set out again and gain the race, but it is disqualified shortly after the arrival to have shorted-circuit the baffle. Prost is crowned world champion.
the GP 1990. Party of the pole-position (located on the dirty side of the track), Senna is made surprise at the beginning by Prost, from now on at Ferrari. But with the access of the first turn, the Brazilian one strikes the French and thus secures its second world title. The race is also marked by the third place of the room Aguri Suzuki which becomes thus the first Japanese pilot to assemble on a podium of Formula 1.
the GP 1991. The duel for the title opposes this Senna time to Mansell. While leaving to the fault, Mansell makes it possible Senna to take down its third world title.
the GP 1993. Without stake for the first time since 1977, the race is marked by the astonishing master key of weapon between Senna (easy leader of the race on a wet track) and the beginner Eddie Irvine, however relegated to a turn. The explanation will continue after the race in manner " virile" and will be worth with the two men to be suspended with deferment by the sporting capacity.
the GP 1994. Under the flood, Damon Hill delivers an unextended resistance to Michael Schumacher, and is replaced in the fight for the world title before approaching the ultimate test of the championship in Australia.
the GP 1996. For the first time since 1977, the GP is in position of closure championship. Easy winner, Damon Hill is crowned there world champion, while its rival Jacques Villeneuve is constrained with the abandonment following the loss of a wheel.
the GP 1997. Excluded from the GP at the conclusion them qualifications to have been unaware of a yellow flag (it was already under the blow of a sanction with deferment), Jacques Villeneuve manages to align himself at the beginning of the race after having appealed. He devotes himself to part of lying poker with the Ferrari pilots which he leaves loser, the victory returning with Michael Schumacher in front of Eddie Irvine. Villeneuve will be finally downgraded, and will approach with a point of delay on Schumacher the last race of the season with Jerez.
the GP 1998. As in 1996, the GP closes the championship. After having fixed at the beginning, Schumacher is victim in race of a puncture. Easy winner, Mika Hakkinen takes down its first world title.
the GP 1999. Opposed this time to Eddie Irvine in an again decisive GP for the world title, Mika Hakkinen takes down a new victory and its second championship.
the GP 2000. Victorious, Schumacher is ensured before even the end of the championship of its third championship of the world, Hakkinen which cannot more hope to join it. He becomes the first pilot since Jody Scheckter with being crowned at the wheel of Ferrari.
the GP 2003. Author of a race brouillone in the heart of the group, Michael Schumacher takes down nevertheless its sixth world title, with the detriment of his Finnish rival Kimi Räikkönen.
the GP 2005. In a test without stake for the title of the pilots but important for that of the manufacturers, Kimi Räikkönen is essential by exceeding Giancarlo Fisichella on starts the last turn, after being slim bottom of grid.
the GP 2006. Before last sleeve of the championship, the test is dominated by the leader of the championship of the world Michael Schumacher, until the failure of the engine of its Ferrari. The victory returns to the Spaniard Fernando Alonso who carries out at the same time a great step towards its second world title.
the GP 2007. F1 returns to the Mont Fuji for the third time.

Prize list

External bond

Grand Prix of Japan (nonofficial)

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