F1 | Japanese Grand Prix 2022: preview and weekend times

Once the Singapore GP is over with Sergio Perez's victory ahead of the Ferraris of Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz, it's already time to think about next weekend. After three years we return to Japan!

Friday 14th October
Free Practice 1 05:00 – 06:00
Free Practice 2 08:00 – 09:30 (30 minutes more for Pirelli tests)

Saturday October 8
Free Practice 3: 05:00 – 06:00
Qualifying: 08:00 – 09:00 (delayed on TV8 TBC)

Sunday October 9
Race: 07:00 (delayed on TV8 TBC)

We remind you that you can also follow the entire motorsport weekend on our website, F1GrandPrix, with live coverage and real-time updates!

Circuit

Name: Suzuka International Racing Course

Place: Suzuka, Japan

Construction: the Suzuka track was initially built in 1962, inside an amusement park owned by Honda, and was intended to function only as a test circuit for the Japanese company. In the 80s, however, the FIA ​​decided to include it in the Formula 1 calendar instead of the Fuji track, thus satisfying the interests of the Japanese motor company, which was dominating at the time. This track is considered one of the most technical in the world, with very fast corners and sectors where the driver's precision still manages to make the difference. Furthermore, Suzuka is the only track in the world championship to have a figure-eight layout.

Distance per lap: 5,807km

Number of curves: 18, nine right, nine left

Direction of travel: to eight

Technical data:

Special features of the route: as well as being a sort of Formula 1 university, the Suzuka track really puts the engines to the test, with just under 70% of the lap at wide open throttle. Over the course of the entire race, the engine completes 858.000 cycles, while the gear changes for each lap are 56, approximately 3.000 for the entire race. The hourly average on this track is around 221 km/h.

Brakes:

DRS zone: on the main straight, between turn 18 and turn 1, with detection point just before turn 16

Service
These are the sets of tires chosen by the teams for the Suzuka Grand Prix. Unique choices for the three top teams regarding the Hard tire (C1). Ferrari and Red Bull will opt for the same sets of medium and soft tyres. Mercedes, on the other hand, is more conservative with the C3 compound but will have an extra set of medium tyres.

RECORD

Test lap: 1:27.064 – S Vettel – Ferrari – 2019
Race lap: 1:30.983 – L Hamilton – Mercedes - 2019
Distance: 1h23:53.413 – F Alonso – Renault - 2006
Driver victories: 6 – M Schumacher
Team victories: 9 – McLaren
Driver pole: 8 – M Schumacher
Pole team: 10 – Ferrari
Best driver laps: 4 – M Schumacher
Best team laps: 8 – Williams, McLaren
Driver podiums: 9 – M Schumacher
Team podiums: 25 – McLaren

Hall of Fame

1. 1976 M Andretti – Lotus Ford
2. 1977 J Hunt – McLaren Ford
3. 1987 G Berger – Ferrari
4. 1988 At Senna – McLaren Honda
5. 1989 In Nannini – Benetton Ford
6. 1990 N Piquet – Benetton Ford
7. 1991 G Berger – McLaren Honda
8. 1992 R Patrese – Williams Renault
9. 1993 At Senna – McLaren Ford
10. 1994 D Hill–Williams Renault
11. 1995 M Schumacher – Benetton Renault
12. 1996 D Hill – Williams Renault
13. 1997 M Schumacher – Ferrari
14. 1998 M Hakkinen – McLaren Mercedes
15. 1999 M Hakkinen – McLaren Mercedes
16. 2000 M Schumacher – Ferrari
17. 2001 M Schumacher – Ferrari
18. 2002 M Schumacher – Ferrari
19. 2003 R Barrichello – Ferrari
20. 2004 M Schumacher – Ferrari
21. 2005 K Raikkonen – McLaren Mercedes
22. 2006 F Alonso – Renault
23. 2007 Hamilton – McLaren Mercedes
24. 2008 F Alonso – Renault
25. 2009 S Vettel – Red Bull Renault
26. 2010 S Vettel – Red Bull Renault
27. 2011 J Button – McLaren Mercedes
28. 2012 S Vettel – Red Bull Renault
29. 2013 S Vettel – Red Bull Renault
30. 2014 L Hamilton – Mercedes
31. 2015 L Hamilton – Mercedes
32. 2016 N Rosberg – Mercedes
33. 2017 L Hamilton – Mercedes
34. 2018 L Hamilton – Mercedes
35. 2019 V Bottas – Mercedes