Paddock Postcard from Suzuka

As always, the Japanese nation’s love for all things Formula One racing meant that the Suzuka paddock was a visual and aural feast for every level of motorsport enthusiast, from the casual to the hardcore - and the highlight for many was the demonstrations of old F1 cars, complete with authentic ‘period’ drivers.

Gerhard Berger handled a McLaren-Honda MP4/6 and loved the reunion, as did Satoru Nakajima when he slipped into a Cosworth DFZ-powered Tyrrell 019. Takuma Sato got behind the wheel of a Williams-Honda FW11B, although technical problems sadly limited his running.

Aguri Suzuki, who finished third here in a Larrousse LC-90 in the 1990 race famous for the first-corner collision between Ayrton Senna and Alain Prost and a resultant Benetton 1-2, made a welcome appearance, as did tyre men Hiroshi Yasukawa and Hirohide Hamashima.

Of course, what really makes any visit to the Japanese Grand Prix is the local fans, whose Formula One knowledge and enthusiasm know no bounds…

Watch: Japanese fans - the heart of Suzuka