Japanese Grand Prix

The Japanese Grand Prix is a race the FIA Formula One World Championship calendar. Usually, this race is one of the last races of the season.

The Japanese Grand Prix has been hosted by both the Fuji Speedway and the Suzuka Circuit. Fuji Speedway is owned by Toyota and Suzuka Circuit is owned by their rival Honda. In July 2009, Toyota announced it would not host the race at Fuji Speedway in 2010 and beyond due to a downturn in the global economy.

 History 
 Inaugural races 
The first Formula 1 Japanese Grand Prix, in , was held at the Fuji Speedway, west of Yokohama. The race was to become famous for the battle between James Hunt and Niki Lauda for the championship. The race was held during monsoon rain conditions. Lauda had survived a near-fatal crash at the German Grand Prix earlier in the season. He withdrew from the Japanese Grand Prix fearing for his safety. Hunt finished third, and ended up winning championship by a margin of one point.

Hunt returned to win the second Japanese Grand Prix. There was a collision between Gilles Villeneuve and Ronnie Peterson in the race. Villeneuve's Ferrari flew off the track and killed two spectators. The Japanese Grand Prix did not return to Formula One for another decade.

 Return to Japan at Suzuka 
Formula One returned to Japan in 1987. This time, it was hosted by the Suzuka Circuit, south west of Nagoya. The circuit was set inside a amusement park, and owned by Honda. Honda used the circuit as a test track. The Suzuka circuit was the first figure-eight race track in F1. One section of the track passes over the other on a bridge.

 Alternating between Suzuka and Fuji 
The FIA announced on 24 March 24 2006 that future races will again be held at Fuji Speedway. Fuji had been redesigned by Hermann Tilke.

Formula One announced On 8 September 2007, that Fuji will alternate hosting the Japanese Grand Prix with Suzuka. This will start in 2009.

 Fuji Speedway withdraws 
In July 2009, Toyota cited a global economic slump as the reason that the Japanese Grand Prix would not return to Fuji Speedway in 2010 and beyond. The speedway argued, according to the Associated Press, that "continuing to host F1 races could threaten the survival of the company." As a result, the 2010 Grand Prix will be held at Suzuka.

 Sponsors 
Fuji Television Japanese Grand Prix 1987-2009

Winners of the Japanese Grand Prix
Repeat winners (drivers)
Drivers in bold are competing in the Formula One championship in the current season.
A pink background indicates an event which was not part of the Formula One World Championship.
 Wins Driver Years won 6  Michael Schumacher 1995, 1997, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2004 5  Lewis Hamilton 2007, 2014, 2015, 2017, 20184  Sebastian Vettel 2009, 2010, 2012, 2013  Max Verstappen 2022, 2023, 2024, 20252  Motoharu Kurosawa 1969, 1973  Gerhard Berger 1987, 1991  Ayrton Senna 1988, 1993  Damon Hill 1994, 1996  Mika Häkkinen 1998, 1999  Fernando Alonso 2006, 2008

Repeat winners (constructors)
Teams in bold are competing in the Formula One championship in the current season.
A pink background indicates an event which was not part of the Formula One World Championship.

 Wins Constructor Years won 9  McLaren 1977, 1988, 1991, 1993, 1998, 1999, 2005, 2007, 2011 8  Red Bull 2009, 2010, 2012, 2013, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025 7  Ferrari 1987, 1997, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004 6  Mercedes 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 3  Benetton 1989, 1990, 1995  Williams 1992, 1994, 1996 2  Lotus 1963, 1976  Porsche 1964, 1967  Nissan 1968, 1969  Renault 2006, 2008

Repeat winners (engine manufacturers)
Manufacturers in bold are competing in the Formula One championship in the current season.
A pink background indicates an event which was not part of the Formula One World Championship.

 Wins Manufacturer Years won11  Mercedes1998, 1999, 2005, 2007, 2011, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 201910  Renault1992, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2006, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2012, 2013 7  Ferrari 1987, 1997, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004  Ford **1963, 1972, 1976, 1977, 1989, 1990, 19933  Honda RBPT2023, 2024, 20252  Honda1988, 1991
* Between 1998-2005 built by Ilmor

** Built by Cosworth

Formula One era – by year
YearDriverConstructorLocationReport Mario AndrettiLotus-Ford FujiReport James HuntMcLaren-FordReport1978–1986 Not held Gerhard BergerFerrari SuzukaReport Ayrton SennaMcLaren-HondaReport Alessandro NanniniBenetton-FordReport Nelson PiquetBenetton-FordReport Gerhard BergerMcLaren-HondaReport Riccardo PatreseWilliams-RenaultReport Ayrton SennaMcLaren-FordReport Damon HillWilliams-RenaultReport Michael SchumacherBenetton-RenaultReport Damon HillWilliams-RenaultReport Michael SchumacherFerrariReport Mika HäkkinenMcLaren-MercedesReport Mika HäkkinenMcLaren-MercedesReport Michael SchumacherFerrariReport Michael SchumacherFerrariReport Michael SchumacherFerrariReport Rubens BarrichelloFerrariReport Michael SchumacherFerrariReport Kimi RäikkönenMcLaren-MercedesReport Fernando AlonsoRenaultReport Lewis HamiltonMcLaren-Mercedes FujiReport Fernando AlonsoRenaultReport Sebastian VettelRed Bull-RenaultSuzukaReport Sebastian VettelRed Bull-RenaultReport Jenson ButtonMcLaren-MercedesReport Sebastian VettelRed Bull-RenaultReport Sebastian VettelRed Bull-RenaultReport Lewis HamiltonMercedesReport Lewis HamiltonMercedesReport Nico RosbergMercedesReport Lewis HamiltonMercedesReport Lewis HamiltonMercedesReport Valtteri BottasMercedesReport2020–2021 Cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic Max VerstappenRed Bull-RBPTSuzukaReport Max VerstappenRed Bull-Honda RBPTReport2024 Max VerstappenRed Bull-Honda RBPTReport2025 Max VerstappenRed Bull-Honda RBPTReport

Pre-Formula One era – by year
YearDriverCarLocationCategoryReport1963 Peter WarrLotus 23-FordGP Japan, 3.5.1963, www.racingsportscars.com Retrieved 19 June 2017 Suzuka Sports CarsReport1964 Michael KnightBrabham BT9Brabham BT9, www.oldracingcars.com Retrieved 19 June 2017Formula JuniorReport1965 Not held1966 Yoshikazu SunakoPrince R380Prince R380-I (1966 : R380), www.nissan-global.com  Retrieved 19 June 2017 FujiReport1967 Tetsu IkuzawaPorsche 906GP Japan, 3.5.1967, www.racingsportscars.com Retrieved 19 June 2017Report1968 Moto KitanoNissan R381-ChevroletGP Japan, 3.5.1968, www.racingsportscars.com Retrieved 19 June 2017Report1969 Motoharu KurosawaNissan R382GP Japan, 10.10.1969, www.racingsportscars.com Retrieved 19 June 2017Report1970 Not held1971 Kuniomi NagamatsuMitsubishi Colt F2000COLT F2000, www.mitsubishi-motors.co.jp  Retrieved 19 June 2017 FujiReport1972 John SurteesSurtees TS10-Ford BDGVII Grand Prix of Japan 1972, www.formula2.net Retrieved 19 June 2017Formula Libre  Formula Two  Formula 2000Report1973 Motoharu KurosawaMarchReport1974 Not held1975 Masahiro HasemiMarchFujiReport

Broadcasting
United Kingdom

 Year Network Lap-by-lap Colour commentator(s)  Sky Sports F1 David Croft Martin Brundle Channel 4 Ben Edwards David Coulthard  Sky Sports F1 David Croft Martin Brundle BBC One Ben Edwards David Coulthard  Sky Sports F1 David Croft Martin Brundle BBC One Ben Edwards David Coulthard  Sky Sports F1 David Croft Martin Brundle BBC One Ben Edwards David Coulthard  Sky Sports F1 David Croft Martin Brundle BBC One Ben Edwards David Coulthard  Martin Brundle  Jonathan Legard Martin Brundle   ITV James Allen       F1 Digital+ Ben Edwards John Watson ITV James Allen Martin Brundle   Murray Walker     BBC Two Jonathan Palmer Eurosport Ben Edwards John Watson  BBC Two Murray Walker Jonathan Palmer Eurosport Ben Edwards John Watson  BBC Two Murray Walker Jonathan Palmer Eurosport Allard Kalff John Watson  BBC One Murray Walker James Hunt Eurosport Allard Kalff John Watson  BBC One Murray Walker James Hunt Eurosport Allard Kalff John Watson  BBC Two Murray Walker James Hunt Eurosport Richard Nicholls John Watson  BBC Two Murray Walker James Hunt Eurosport Richard Nicholls John Watson  BBC Two Murray Walker James Hunt    ITV Andrew Marriott   BBC One Murray Walker Barrie Gill ITV Andrew Marriott 

References

Other websites
Japanese Grand Prix (Unofficial)

Category:Formula One Grands Prix