Top Five: Suzuka classics
The Japanese Grand Prix at Suzuka used to be the last race of the season, and the scene of many epic championship deciders. To celebrate the legendary track, here are the top five races Suzuka has ever hosted:
5. 1999 Japanese Grand Prix- Hakkinen v Irvine
The 1999 season was seemingly a breeze in the park for defending world champion, Mika Hakkinen.
The McLaren driver had a won a titanic battle with Michael Schumacher in 1998, but the German had broken his leg at the British Grand Prix.
With Schumacher missing, it was left for his plucky Ferrari team-mate Eddie Irvine to take up the fight.
With Hakkinen cracking under the pressure, Irvine led the championship going into the final round at Suzuka. But true champions produce their best when it matters.
The returning Schumacher was trying to aid Irvine, and started on pole. But Hakkinen, starting second, beat him off the line and drove a faultless race.
He won comfortably and not even Schumacher could get close. It was one of the best drives of Hakkinen’s career and gave him his second world crown.
4. 1988 Japanese Grand Prix- Senna v Prost (The one where they don’t crash!)
Think of Senna v Prost and Suzuka is the destination. Their epic rivalry, which is still the fiercest in the sports history, always culminated at Japan’s number one circuit.
1988 was the first season of their McLaren partnership and their relationship remained harmonious. At the end of the season they were in a shoot-out to see who would be champion.
Ayrton Senna driving the McLaren
Senna stalled from pole position but managed to get it going as it went downhill and he dropped to 14th, watching Prost disappear with the lead and the championship.
Then luck turned Senna’s way. Prost was battling a gear-box problem and the rain began to fall. Senna was in a race of his own as he flew past every driver and hunted down Prost.
On Lap 28, he made the championship deciding move by diving down the inside of Prost into turn one. He made it stick and went on to win the race and his first championship.
3. 2005 Japanese Grand Prix- Raikkonen v Fisichella v Alonso
With Fernando Alonso already the champion for 2005, Formula 1 put on a fantastic show at the meaningless Japanese race.
Alonso (Renault) Montoya (WIlliams) Raikkonen (McLaren) M. Schumacher (Ferrari)
With Raikkonen and Alonso a long way down the grid in qualifying, it looked like a simple afternoon for Alonso's team-mate, Giancarlo Fisichella.
Alonso and Raikkonen demonstrated a lesson in overtaking with some mesmeric driving as they hauled themselves up the field.
Alonso produced what is still considered the best move of all time as he drove round the outside of Michael Schumacher into the fearsome 130R.
The Spaniard managed to come 3rd in his Renault, but Raikkonen hunted Fisichella down. On the last lap he pulled off an astonishing move down the outside of the Italian to claim the win, after starting 17th.
It is remembered as one of the greatest races of all time.
2. 2000 Japanese Grand Prix- Schumacher v Hakkinen
Michael Schumacher (2012)
Michael Schumacher had been desperate to add to his two world crowns when he joined Ferrari in 1996, but the championship had painfully eluded him.
In 2000, he finally got the job done in a thrilling climax to a thrilling season.
His great rival, Mika Hakkinen, got the jump on the German at the start and lead going into the first corner, just as he had done a year ago (see number 5).
Hakkinen and Schumacher then began to set lap times well beyond the capabilities of their team-mates, who fell a long way behind. In the end they finished over a minute back.
A desperate Schumacher ran longer during the second round of pit-stops and produced some stunning lap times. When he exited the pits, he came out ahead of Hakkinen and went on to win.
Schumacher cites it as his most emotional victory
1. 1989 Japanese Grand Prix- Prost v Senna
After Senna’s breath taking drive to win the 1988 race and the championship, Alain Prost was keen for history not to repeat itself in 1989.
Their relationship by this point had become toxic and was about to get much worse.
With six laps to go, Senna was chasing Prost hard. He moved to the inside to overtake but Prost saw it coming. He deliberately moved across and the pair collided.
Their cars rolled to a stop and Prost got out, believing he was champion. However, the marshals untangled the cars and Senna drove on to win.
Later on, the FIA blamed Senna for cutting the chicane and excluded him. An appeal saw them describe him as “dangerous”. Prost went on to be champion.
Senna didn't forgive or forget and the next year he deliberately drove into Prost at the first corner. In doing so, he confirmed himself at champion and exacted revenge.
Their rivalry and their epic battles in Japan remain the most famous pieces of racing ever.
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