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![]() ![]() Japanese Grand Prix Suzuka International Racing Course, Suzuka City, Mie, Japan Race Distance: 53 laps, 307.471 km The famous Suzuka figure-8 started life in 1962 as a test track for the Honda company. Today, it's one of the world's most famous tracks, and a driver favorite. A combination of fast straights, tight hairpins and chicanes, long dynamic sweepers, and elevations changes leads to many overtaking opportunities. In addition to the cross-over bridge/tunnel that allows the figure-8 layout, Suzuka's other famous element is 130R, a 130 meter radius curve taken flat-out in an F1 car. In 2012, Vettel took the grand slam in Japan with pole, fastest lap, and the win. Massa came from 10th to 2nd in a career saving drive. And Kobayashi became only the 3rd Japanese driver to stand on the podium in front of his hometown fans. Red Bull takes another pole, but this time it's Webber on top as KERS issues hamper Vettel's Q3 session, relegating him to 2nd on the grid. Hamilton goes 3rd fastest, while Grosjean surprises and slots into 4th, well ahead of teammate Raikkonen's 9th position start. The top 10 qualifiers in Japan: WEB VET HAM GRO MAS ROS HUL ALO RAI BUT Vettel wins again, but this time has to earn it. With a terrific start, Grosjean vaults to the lead ahead of Webber, while Vettel drops back after contact with Hamilton retires the Mercedes. But with a little team strategy (at Webber's unwilling expense), Red Bull is able to get their man to the top for another win. Vettel now only needs 5th or better in the next race to secure the championship. Webber finishes 2nd and Grosjean 3rd, both having had legitimate shots at winning the race. Alonso and Raikkonen round out the top 5, both coming from poor grid positions.
Japanese Grand Prix Suzuka International Racing Course, Suzuka City, Mie, Japan ![]() ![]() |