SUZUKA

Track length: 5.807 km

Number of laps: 53 (307.573 Km)

Best lap: R. Schumacher - 1'33''408
(2003, Williams)

Record Pole: M. Schumacher - 1'31''317 (2002, Ferrari)

2003 Pole: R. Barrichello - 1'31''713 (Ferrari)

2003 Podium
1. R. Barrichello
2. K. Raikkonen
3. D. Coulthard

Suzuka is a very tough and technical circuit, with enormous crowds. It has been a huge event since 1987 when the Japanese Grand Prix was reinstated to the calendar, due to Honda's successful return, this time as an engine supplier.

In the shape of a figure eight, Suzuka has a variety of fast and slow corners. It is loved by all the drivers, although overtaking was made virtually impossible when the chicane before the pits was tightened in 1991, spoiling the best passing opportunity that had been at the end of the main straight.

The 1987 race will be remembered best for the practice accident that dashed Nigel Mansells' title hopes. 1988 saw Senna take the win from a very bad start, and the following year, he collided with his McLaren teammate, Alain Prost, when battling for the lead. Although Senna crossed the line first, he was later disqualified, handing the win to the Benetton of Alessandro Nannini.

1990 saw Prost and Senna tangle again, although they were now in different teams. Senna took the title, later admitting that he deliberately caused the accident that took Prost out. Riccardo Patrese won his last Grand Prix here in 92, after Nigel Mansell retired. Senna won again in 93, dominating a wet/dry race, and afterwards he made headlines by punching newcomer, Eddie Irvine after a dispute on the track.The 94 race was spectacular. Rain struck, and with a string of accidents, it saw a pace car, and a stoppage. After the restart, Damon Hill overcame Michael Schumachers advantage, to score perhaps the hardest earned win of his career.

Damon Hill took an emotional win that lead to him clinching the title here in 1996, with Michael Schumacher winning in 97. Hakkinen took the win for McLaren in 98, where once again the world title was decided in Japan. The Finn walked away from Japan like Hill did two years before him, with his first championship title, an event he recreated in 99.

2000 was a special event for millions of fans around the globe as they watched Michael Schumacher take the win and with it the first drivers crown for Ferrari in 21 years. The German was ecstatic and the crowd went wild as the Ferrari ace crossed the line to become the 2000 Formula One World Champion. That made four world titles that have been won here in the past five years.

Due to the dominance displayed by Ferrari in 2001 and 2002, the title was well and truly wrapped up before the final race of the season unfolded. Michael Schumacher took the win in 2001 with a repeat in 2002, this time with yet another Ferrari one-two as Rubens Barrichello crossed the line behind him.

Rubens Barrichello took the chequered flag to win the 2003 race and helped his team-mate Michael Schumacher win his sixth World title in the process. The German nearly retired after a closely-fought tussle with his brother but managed to finish to race... and win the championship title!