Google+ Jack Leslie F1: F1 Flashback - Memorable Japanese Grand Prix Moments

1 October 2014

F1 Flashback - Memorable Japanese Grand Prix Moments

The Japanese Grand Prix debuted on the F1 calendar in 1976 and has been part of the schedule in every season since 1987, which was also Suzuka’s first time hosting the event. 
© Red Bull/Getty Images
It has produced some of the most iconic moments in the sport’s history. Here are just a few of them. 

An obvious choice 

You knew this one would come up, didn’t you? The 1989 Japanese Grand Prix saw Alain Prost and Ayrton Senna collide in dramatic fashion at the chicane, with the former retiring from the race. Senna managed to continue after a pit stop for a new nosecone. 

He charged past Alessandro Nannini to take the victory, but he was later disqualified for using the escape road to re-join the circuit. With the race being the penultimate round of the season, the end result – with Nannini being promoted to first place – saw Prost take the championship. 

This one was also obvious 

Fast-forward one year and the 1990 Japanese Grand Prix also included a crash between Prost and Senna. However, this time it took place at turn one on the opening lap. Senna started on pole position but wasn’t pleased with the side of the pit straight that he was starting from. 


Prost got a better start – like Senna had feared – but as the top two entered turn one, they collided. Both were pitched off the circuit, with Senna's car hitting the wall. The Brazilian claimed his second world title, with Nelson Piquet going on to win the event. 

A brilliant recovery 

The 2005 Japanese Grand Prix is one of my favourite ever races. It was packed full of action and drama, with the fight for victory going right to the end. Kimi Raikkonen started down in 17th place after a rain-hit qualifying session, but made good progress early on. 

He moved ahead of Fernando Alonso at his first pit stop, before displacing Michael Schumacher. He then made up more places in the second phase of stops and started chasing down the leader Giancarlo Fisichella. 


It took the Finn two attempts, but he would eventually take over the top spot on the run to the first corner with one lap to go, taking his final victory for McLaren and seventh of the 2005 season. The race is also best remembered for Alonso’s stunning pass around the outside of Schumacher at 130R. 

Championship number two
© Red Bull/Getty Images

Suzuka holds fond memories for Sebastian Vettel. Not only has be won the event four times, but back in 2011 he wrapped up the world title with third place. 

He started from pole position and held the lead early on, with Jenson Button falling behind Lewis Hamilton. Vettel pitted for the first time on lap 20, but Button – who passed Hamilton on lap nine – stayed out and pitted at the end of the next tour. 

The Englishman emerged ahead of Vettel, taking the net lead. Button retained his position during the second stops and eventually won by just under 1.2 seconds. Vettel failed to hold on to second place and fell to third when Alonso emerged ahead of him after his second stop. 

The German eventually took the chequered flag nine tenths behind his Spanish rival, but the final spot on the podium was enough for him to secure his second F1 title.

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