by rbnstr

Created on: December 03, 2010

Japan's Suzuka circuit is considered by many F1 drivers as one of the greatest tracks used in Formula One.  The circuit boasts of challenging corners that tests the car and ability of drivers.  The figure-eight track was designed by John Hugenholz in 1962 for Honda to serve as their testing area.  The entire length of the circuit is 5.807 kilometers and the race will take the drivers to 53 laps from start to finish for a total race distance of 307.471 kilometers.  As of the end of the 2010 Formula 1 season, the lap record is held by Kimi Raikonnen at 1 minute and 31.540 seconds established in 2005 with a Ferrari F1 car.

The first sector of the circuit from the starting grid is composed of a high speed straight going into Turn One of the first curve, coming from a speed of 260 KPH. Cars slow down to 140 KPH on Turn 2 of the curve.  From there, cars speed up to 245 KPH going into Turn 3 of the “S” curves.  Cars decelerate to 200 then 185 KPH while negotiating through Turns 4, 5, 6, and 7, until they reach long left hand Dunlop Curve.

Almost at Turn 8 of the Degner Curve is where the second sector begins, still maintaining the speed of 185 KPH.  Speed decreases further to 123 KPH on Turn 9 after the curve.  Cars speed up once again but drivers have to be careful because the coming hairpin curve, Turn 11, will require them to slow down to 64 KPH!  From there, drivers push their cars to 285 kph through other slight turns until they get to Turn 13 of the Spoon Curve, slowing down to 180 KPH then down to 140 KPH until Turn 14.

Into the third and final sector of the lap cars would race up to 312 kilometers per hour on the famous 130R.  As the cars approach the Casio Triangle where Turn 17 is, they will have to decelerate to 90 KPH at second gear and drivers will and experience 1.4 g-force.  G forces experienced by the drivers are highest at Turns 8, 9, 12, and 13, all 2 g or more.  The last turn of the sector, Turn 18, will make drivers accelerate at high speeds again as they near the start-finish line of the lap.  

Only the very significant turns of the Suzuka circuit were mentioned here where overtaking and outmaneuvering can take place.

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