Japanese Formula One Grand Prix
The Suzuka Circuit in Japan is one of the few circuits in the world to employ a figure of eight crossover layout. At a total length of 3.6 miles its intricate and highly technical layout offers a considerable challenge for the drivers; in particular, the changes in elevation create a number of blind bends where judging the exit can be difficult.
Racing away from the start/finish line the track leads you into an extended right-handed hairpin of Turn One, also known as First, after a short straight comes a sequence of five bends, culminating in the fast Dunlop left-hander which leads into the mid-speed right a Degner leading into a tighter right at Degner 2, or turn 9. The circuit then ducks under the crossover bridge to the fast rift-hander at Turn Ten, followed by the sharp left-handed hairpin. The course then continues through another double-apex right-hander and on to the very fast Spoon; an extended left-handed that leads to the Crossover, the fastest stretch of the track. This is followed by the incredibly challenging left-handed 130R, which has undergone extensive modification following serious accidents in 2002 and 2003. Finally, the track leads into the Casino Triangle, three corners numbered 15, 16 and 17, which effectively meld into one long right hander that opens into the start of the finishing straight. |
SUZUKA CIRCUIT
LOCATION: Suzuka City, Japan
CIRCUIT TYPE: Permanent Circuit
CIRCUIT LENGTH: 3.6 Miles
LAP RECORD: 1:31.540 - K.Raikkonen 2005
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