F1 – Circuits – Japan
 | Japanese GP | Date: 13 Oct 2013 |
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| Circuit Name | Suzuka (Suzuka) | |
| Type of Circuit | Permanent | |
| Inaugurated | 1962 | |
| Circuit Length | 5.807 km | |
| Race Distance | 307.471 km | |
| Number of Laps | 53 | |
| Total Number of Turns | 18 | |
| Right-Hand Turns | 10 | |
| Left-Hand Turns | 8 | |
| Direction of the Circuit | Clockwise | |
| Lap Record | 1:31.540 – Kimi Raikkonen (2005) | |
| 2012 Fastest Race Lap | 1:35.774 – Sebastian Vettel | |
| 2012 Pole Position | 1:30.839 – Sebastian Vettel | |
| 2012 Race Winner | Sebastian Vettel | |
The Suzuka Circuit was designed as a test track for Honda Motor Company in 1962 by Dutch architect John Hugenholtz. At first it was used for the development of cars but, little by little, it started hosting competitive races until it celebrated its first Japanese Grand Prix in 1987. It is a very quick and technical circuit where downforce and tyre conservation are important elements. Suzuka is unique since it is shaped in the form of an eight and, therefore, is the only track in the championship to go anti-clockwise and clockwise in a same lap. The Japanese circuit has two of the most demanding turns on the calendar: the 130R, a 130 metre radius turn taken at speeds of over 300km/h, and the Spoon Curve. | ||