Sector 1 is most commonly cited as a driver favourite: the ‘S’ Curves snaking uphill with unforgiving sand traps lurking either side — ready to punish drivers who push their cars just a touch too far.
130R and the Casio Chicane make up two intimidating final hurdles — the former taken flat-out by drivers at over 200mph (320km/h) while the latter provides one final overtaking opportunity before darting back down towards Turn 1.
In the past, success here has been determined by a driver’s ability to tiptoe on the limit — evident in wins for Kimi Räikkönen in 2005 and Fernando Alonso in 2006 — but the Suzuka circuit has also been a site of great drama: McLaren’s Ayrton Senna and Alain Prost crashing out in 1989, while Leclerc incurred a last-corner penalty in 2022, handing Verstappen the title.
A rain-free weekend is expected this year, but there’s usually action aplenty in the dry, with plenty of time to make up throughout the lap during qualifying and overtaking opportunities around (almost) every corner on race day.
130R, Spoon, the Degners and other corners make Suzuka a unique thrill-ride for drivers
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A singular DRS zone down the pit straight makes Turn 1 a common place to make moves through the field, although drivers high on bravery can fly past opponents through 130R — reminiscent of Alonso’s move on Michael Schumacher in 2005.