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In numbers - the Japanese Grand Prix

04 Oct 2016

Did you know that one current driver has never finished off the podium in Japan? Or that a team mates' agreement led to the closest finish in the race's history? Ahead of this year’s Suzuka round, we present some fascinating facts and figures...

 

1976

Year of the first Grand Prix in Japan. Fuji was the host venue, while Lotus's Mario Andretti was the victor, a full lap ahead of every other driver.


3

Circuits in Japan to have hosted F1. Only two - Fuji and Suzuka - have staged the Japanese Grand Prix, however. TI Aida is the third, home to the Pacific Grand Prix in 1994 and 1995.


5

Drivers have claimed their maiden F1 podiums in Japan - Roberto Moreno and Aguri Suzuki, both in 1990, Mika Hakkinen in 1993, Heikki Kovalainen in 2007, and most recently home favourite Kamui Kobayashi in 2012.

17

The lowest grid position from which the Japanese Grand Prix has been won - by Kimi Raikkonen in 2005. Only two drivers in F1 history have tasted victory from further back - anywhere.


100

Brothers Michael and Ralf Schumacher both reached a century of starts in Japan, five years apart. Michael attained the landmark while driving for Ferrari in 1997 (he also won the race), while Ralf achieved it in 2002 with Williams.


300

Rubens Barrichello also reached a historic milestone at Suzuka - in 2010 he became the first driver in F1 history to compete in 300 Grands Prix. The Brazilian took home two points for a ninth-place finish for Williams.


2

Number of Japanese drivers to have recorded a podium finish on home soil - Aguri Suzuki in 1990 and Kamui Kobayashi in 2012.

13

The number of times a world drivers’ champion has been crowned in Japan - more than in any other country.


20.639

The biggest winning margin, in seconds, ever recorded for a Grand Prix at Suzuka, when Sebastian Vettel took victory for Red Bull in 2012. Ferrari’s Felipe Massa was runner-up.


0.344

The smallest winning margin, in seconds, ever recorded for a Grand Prix at Suzuka, when Gerhard Berger beat McLaren team mate Ayrton Senna to the chequered flag in 1991 - though only after the Brazilian ceded the victory to the Austrian at the final corner following a pre-race agreement.


9

Most Japanese Grand Prix wins recorded by a single team - McLaren. Two of the nine were with Honda power - the only times the famed engine maker has triumphed on home soil.

41

Lewis Hamilton’s 2015 Suzuka triumph was the 41st victory of his F1 career and brought him level with the win tally of hero Ayrton Senna.


3.9

Highest lateral g-force experienced by an F1 driver during a lap of Suzuka - through the famous 130R turn.


150

The number of consecutive points finishes by a Mercedes-powered car set to be achieved this weekend at Suzuka - unless the Mercedes, Williams, Force India and Manor teams all fail to make the top ten.


WATCH: Japan in numbers