Circuit info
Suzuka Circuit
Interesting facts
Suzuka is the only current Formula 1 track that genuinely crosses over itself in a figure-eight, with the back straight dipping under an overpass to complete the loop. Honda founder Soichiro Honda built it as a test track; Dutch designer John Hugenholtz opened it in September 1962. The Degner Curves are named after Ernst Degner, the East German motorcycle racer who suffered severe burns there in a 1963 crash; the corner, originally a single long curve, was split into two separate bends in 1987 for safety. 1989 produced one of Formula 1's most controversial championships: Alain Prost turned in on teammate Ayrton Senna at the chicane, both retired, Senna rejoined and crossed the line first but was disqualified, handing Prost the title. A year later, in 1990, Senna, now Prost's rival, deliberately drove into his McLaren-Ferrari at Turn 1 to guarantee himself the championship. In 2014, in the rain, Jules Bianchi crashed into a recovery vehicle at the Dunlop corner and died from his injuries nine months later; the tragedy led directly to the introduction of the Virtual Safety Car. Suzuka has frequently sat near the end of the calendar, meaning several world championships (1988, 1989, 1990, 1991) were decided here, giving the Japanese Grand Prix an outsized dramatic weight for decades. You'll find it in Suzuka, Japan. On the calendar since 1987, this circuit has hosted 36 races, the latest in 2026. Gerhard Berger took the inaugural win here in 1987. Andrea Kimi Antonelli won here most recently, in 2026. The most successful driver at this circuit is Michael Schumacher, with 6 wins. Red Bull is the dominant constructor at this circuit, with 8 wins. Andrea Kimi Antonelli set the fastest lap here, 1:30.965 (Mercedes, 2025). The highest speed measured over a race weekend here was 346 km/h.