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Fuji Speedway

Replacing the legendary Suzuka circuit for the Japanese Grand Prix from 2007, the Fuji Speedway has a tough act to follow. But with Mount Fuji as a backdrop, a multimillion-dollar refurbishment by track design guru Hermann Tilke and an overtaking-friendly 1.5-kilometre straight, Japan's new Grand Prix circuit is more than ready to take on the challenge.

Originally built in the style of an American speedway in 1966, Fuji is best remembered for hosting the very first Japanese Grand Prix in 1976. The inaugural race was the setting for one of Formula One racing's closest title showdowns, between James Hunt and Niki Lauda. Though the event proved popular, the 1977 race would be the circuit's last appearance on the Formula One world championship calendar for 30 years.

In 2000, Toyota bought a 93 percent stake in the track and three years later Fuji was closed for renovation, before reopening in February 2005. Measuring 4.5 kilometres in length, the results of Tilke's refurbishment were substantial. Combining the original circuit's celebrated straight with his characteristic twists and turns, the new design impressed enough to secure the Japanese race from 2007. Updated and modernised, the track easily rivals other new circuits in Bahrain, Shanghai and Istanbul. Widened tarmac run-off areas have improved driver safety, while the enhanced infrastructure and modern facilities satisfy the demands of both the paddock and the spectators.

Located in Japan's populous Shizuoka Prefecture and just 62 miles from Tokyo, organisers hope to attract up to 280,000 spectators to Fuji over the course of the race weekend, with 140,000 on race day alone. To accommodate the crowds, the circuit boasts some of the calendar's best grandstands, including seating for 24,000 opposite the pits.

Fuji Speedway

Race Date:30 Sep 2007
Number of Laps:67
Circuit Length:4.563 km
Race Distance:305.721 km
Lap Record:n/a -

Location

Fuji Speedway
694 Nakahinata
Oyama-cho
Suntou-gun
Shizuoka Prefecture
Japan


For more information go to www.Formula1.com

I sense another strong Ferrari weekend and hopefully Kimi proves he is a world champion by showing Massa, Alonso & Hamilton how it is done like at Spa :D.

this is practically a race that needs total driver skills. I mean none of those drivers i dont think have driven at that track before.

Thats crazy, in GT this is my favorite track...that would be cool to watch F1 going around that track.

Pretty interesting...

it sure would be a hell of a race.

I think all are open. It's a new track and i haven't seen there the F1 cars previously. So all are open. Despite this i hope Ferari to do well there.

Its a very unknown track to everyone. So i think the drivers will need to be quich on their feet to learn their way around, meaning i think it will be fight between Lewis and Massa personally, since the 2 youngers to seem to be the faster learners

Apparantely the track is meant to favour the McLaren drivers, so if it's a showdown between Alonso and Hamilton, I am voting HAMILTON!

Should be a great race, I am really looking forward to it. It's in a fortnight's time, which is a long time if you think about it. :(

Bring on Japan!

I am observing the big straight. Anyone knows how fast can the F1 cars go there?

man wish they race on twin ring motegi instead

Although it's a shame Suzuka isn't on the calender this year, it's good to see a new track on the calender. Though from the looks of it, the only good overtaking opportunity is as the end of the straight. Still, Im definately looking forward to this one.

I am observing the big straight. Anyone knows how fast can the F1 cars go there?

We wont know anything untill the first practice, but looking at other tracks with a long straight and a bit twitchy infield(Shanghai, Catalunya) I'm guessing 310-320 kmh

We wont know anything untill the first practice, but looking at other tracks with a long straight and a bit twitchy infield(Shanghai, Catalunya) I'm guessing 310-320 kmh

That's a good guess, I would have gone about that as well.

But it's a friggin' long straight, so I wonder if the field will be polarised with drivers setting up for speed and those setting up for grip.

I can imagine how those brakes will glow soo red at that turn after the LONG straight. Really tough on the cars too.

Did you see some of the brakes on the cars when they were pitting at the Belgian GP, just after they had to brake for the new Busstop Chicane? The amount of brake dust coming off them was immense.

Can't wait till see the brakes when the go through that corner. Its such a great corner after a long straight! Just imagine, how HOT those discs would be after that corner.

I've played Fuji Speedway on GT4, and it's a track only a proffessional can do perfectly. There's a blind corner before the second hairpin (located in the middle of the track) with an apex I have never hit. Even worse are the entries of the corners, they look as if it's a fast corner, but when one approaches it, one will realize that the entry speed is significantly less. The older one was much easier, but the updated Fuji Speedway is hell.....

That would just make it much better to watch considering Suzuka was a bit boring to watch.

That would just make it much better to watch considering Suzuka was a bit boring to watch.

I'm not sure many people would agree with Suzuka being a boring track (including myself :p). Why do you think it was boring?

Can't wait till see the brakes when the go through that corner. Its such a great corner after a long straight! Just imagine, how HOT those discs would be after that corner.
Yes. Brakes will be on fire. Very HOT ceramic disks. Brakes will suffer :p.

Not sure if brakes will be as much of a problem here than at, say, Monaco or Montreal. The long straight will get them pretty cooled up, and there are decent lengths of full-to-near-full throttle after each hard corner on the circuit to ensure they get their temperature down again.

Not sure if brakes will be as much of a problem here than at, say, Monaco or Montreal. The long straight will get them pretty cooled up, and there are decent lengths of full-to-near-full throttle after each hard corner on the circuit to ensure they get their temperature down again.
Right..Brakes won't have a difficult job. But in the first corner we will see the brake discs so hot. We will see the brakes on fire. But in the straight the air will cool the brakes.

^The brakes will have a difficult job, it's like 60 laps long? So 60 times going at arounv 1000 degrees C, it will be very hard, but not like Monaco or Montreal where the drivers are constantly, constantly using the brakes.

Also I don't think Suzuka was boring to watch, hopefully we will have a good race here though.

^The brakes will have a difficult job, it's like 60 laps long? So 60 times going at arounv 1000 degrees C, it will be very hard, but not like Monaco or Montreal where the drivers are constantly, constantly using the brakes.

Also I don't think Suzuka was boring to watch, hopefully we will have a good race here though.

Well, brake fade is more apparent if the brakes are used when they're still hot. Like at Monaco, where after the casino they brake hard for the one hairpin, then accelerate and brake hard again for that tight hairpin I can never for the life of me remember the name of. Plus you have those corners around the swimming pool, multiply by 78...a lot of brake dust :p

Same for Montreal, brake for the first chicance, go for a small bit, brake for the next chicane, go for a bit, etc etc.

Anyway, Suzuka was a driver's circuit. The esses were fantastic, Degner was brilliant, Spoon is downright tricky, and 130R + the Casio Triangle (I think it's still called that anyway) is a great way to end the lap. So I'm very much glad we'll be seeing it again in 09 :D

Driver's circuit, but i dont really liked it. It wasnt as exciting as SPA.

This is one of only a handful of tracks that has what some drivers consider a "safer" layout. There is more than enough run off in all of the corners that will allow drivers to get back on track. From the sounds of it the brakes should be at their optimal working temperatures over the entire lap. Still I wouldn't be surprised one bit if we see some of the same footage of brake dust coming off the cars while in the pits.

Does anyone know if the Toyota driver's have had any practice time on this track b/c it's Toyota's?

^^^
I was thinking similiar. i believe Toyota actually own the track, so i'm pretty sure theres some home advantage to it. So i'm expecting a great race from Jruli.

While it might be owned by Toyota, I don't think they would have a huge advantage over the rest of the field, if any at all. They've done practically no running of F1 cars on the circuit (except for I think Ralfie putting in some demo laps when it first became operational after the revamp), and Trulli wouldn't have driven the circuit except for on simulators.

Besides, the track won't be able to mask any aerodynamic problems the cars currently have, seeing as though it's the same air and all :p

Look at the Honda owned Suzuka, the best they've managed is a 3-4 placing in 2004, which was when they were arguably the second best team behind Ferrari.

so, this just means, no advantage to any cars this season on this particular track. Sweet, this is going to be one tough race i'd say for every team.

FUJI!!!!!!!!!
I remeber now, Fuji, i hate this circuit.
I remeber it in GT4, oh how i dispise it. But for sure it will favour Ferrari, there are 2 huge sweeping bends.

Felipe for another win

I remeber it in GT4, oh how i dispise it. But for sure it will favour Ferrari, there are 2 huge sweeping bends.

I also think Ferrari have the upper hand on this one. It vaguely reminds me of Spa, in a way, although McLaren might be about a bit closer than Spa.

The circuit looks really deserted, the run off areas are massive! I really liked the old circuit, but the way they've gone all out for safety has kind of killed the buzz a bit. That being said, it still has a fair bit to offer. There are a fair bit of elevations, which should be fun.

in GT4 i just drive over the grass to avoid teh sharp turn in the middle;) then i have a huge gap from from AI cars.

anyway, what cars are in the japanses GP? Skylines, Supras, Evos?

anyway, what cars are in the japanses GP? Skylines, Supras, Evos?
Please tell me that was just a bad attempt at humor.

oh, ummm... *waves $20 bill* this never happened.

oh it SURE did happen. *takes the 20 and asks for more*

I also think Ferrari have the upper hand on this one. It vaguely reminds me of Spa, in a way, although McLaren might be about a bit closer than Spa.

The circuit looks really deserted, the run off areas are massive! I really liked the old circuit, but the way they've gone all out for safety has kind of killed the buzz a bit. That being said, it still has a fair bit to offer. There are a fair bit of elevations, which should be fun.

I liked the older layouts too! Unfortunately when the circuit came into being it killed several drivers over the span of two years. Which forced the FIA to go to Suzuka a few years later.

Well so much for no advantage
http://www.sidepodcast.com/2007/09/22/a-mountain-to-climb/

This could seriously bite lewis on the bottom, and we could see alonso take a quick lead in points soon.

Ah, its been too quite here

But bit of news of BMW 08
sounds promising
http://www.itv-f1.com/News_Article.aspx?PO_ID=40800

oh i cant wait till sunday!!! its going to be a good race.

RAIN. YESSSS

There is expected to be rain at Fuji
http://www.formula1.com/news/headlines/2007/9/6866.html

I'd listened at De la Rosa (McLaren's test driver) saying that Fuji is closer to Indianapolis, due to it's long straight and the "infield" (that would be the rest of the track).

He knows very well that track, and during his stay in Japan (94-97), he won at Fuji many times.

It is kind of like Indy, and it's also kind of like Bahrain. I want at least SOME dry running this week!

^^Yeah, but both tracks had two different drivers dominent
So its anyones guess really, but if i were to bet, i would bet on Massa again. I really think that he could take it.

Kimi i think will be lanquishing behind one or both McLarens, since he reluctant to use any simulators which could give him the advantage, i think its that suborn attitude that will lose him the chance to win here

^Kimi refuses to use the simulators? Wow..that's incredible. How does he think he will win anything from being as stubborn as that?

Also, Massa made a funny:
http://www.itv-f1.com/News_Article.aspx?PO_ID=40795

They don't deserve the title, numerous slip-ups, breakdowns, who's fault is that? Ferraris....

Also good to hear that BMW are ahead on their 2008 car. Hopefully they can fight for wins next year.

Kimi i think will be lanquishing behind one or both McLarens, since he reluctant to use any simulators which could give him the advantage, i think its that suborn attitude that will lose him the chance to win here

Thats just typical Kimi he is a traditional driver like that he only cares about the racing on the track and nothing else !

^Kimi refuses to use the simulators? Wow..that's incredible. How does he think he will win anything from being as stubborn as that?

When he said that he meant console games (I think) and so what if he doesn't want to use simulators at the end of the day its his choice.

Another thing I am pretty fed up with all the hate towards Alonso, I hated him the last 2 seasons but over the last couple of months I have soughta felt sorry for him what with folowing the rules and getting penalised for them, playing second fiddle to Hamilton, the British media slatting him and everything like that.

I also have a MASSIVE complaint but I will be making a thread about that just after this weekend's gp depending on the result.

I am looking forward for the tomorrow qualifyings. I'm curious to see who will be the pollman.

^Kimi refuses to use the simulators? Wow..that's incredible. How does he think he will win anything from being as stubborn as that?

Also, Massa made a funny:
http://www.itv-f1.com/News_Article.aspx?PO_ID=40795

They don't deserve the title, numerous slip-ups, breakdowns, who's fault is that? Ferraris....

Also good to hear that BMW are ahead on their 2008 car. Hopefully they can fight for wins next year.
but can you honestly say that Mclaren desevred it, after using someone elses info to gain an advantage

but can you honestly say that Mclaren desevred it, after using someone elses info to gain an advantage

I have a solution! Give it to Williams! BMW will get one soon enough, and Renault already have two, and we need something to prep us up, and the FW29 is sexy, so I think we deserve it, no? :D

BTW, benny, where in Fuji's name is the race thread? Snowed under some work or something are ya? :p

but can you honestly say that Mclaren desevred it, after using someone elses info to gain an advantage

I'm still very sceptical about the verdict given by the FIA. The FIA have said that they were found guilty of possession of Ferrari's date. Nowhere did it say that they had cheated, black and white, by using the Ferrari data and gaining an advantage to their cars. I still do not think that McLaren used the Ferrari data to gain an advantage, they just had it, and they didn't do anything with it. They are not stupid, if they used it, they knew they were going to get caught with it. You don't win championships and become a successful F1 team by being an idiot and cheating. I think the penalty was very veyr harsh, in that respect.

BTW, benny, where in Fuji's name is the race thread? Snowed under some work or something are ya? :p

I got back from school (so no work from me! lol) and went straight on a bike ride, up to the Garth Mountain, and I only got back at around 7pm. It's a big mountain near a place called Nantgarw where I live, and the views there were beautiful. You could see Bristol over the channel, and for miles and miles and miles and miles of just little villages, and houses, and rolling fields. It was great. Of course, going down the mountain was even more fun! My friend fell off his bike (I took a photo, naturally).

http://www.urban75.org/photos/wales/images/garth-mountain-04.jpg

http://www.bbc.co.uk/wales/southeast/slideshows/images/yourphotos_pentyrch/garth_jonathannettleton.jpg

(Not me, obviously, but just a random dude, but you can see the view.)

I'll try and get some pics up of me on the top of it, and post them in the Regs. I also stood on a little stone thing at the top, I must have been the tallest thing in Wales at the moment, haha. :p

Anyway, I've just realised how off-topic I have been, so:

http://www.sportscarforums.com/f12/japanese-gp-22519.html#post635453

I'm still very sceptical about the verdict given by the FIA. The FIA have said that they were found guilty of possession of Ferrari's date. Nowhere did it say that they had cheated, black and white, by using the Ferrari data and gaining an advantage to their cars. I still do not think that McLaren used the Ferrari data to gain an advantage, they just had it, and they didn't do anything with it. They are not stupid, if they used it, they knew they were going to get caught with it. You don't win championships and become a successful F1 team by being an idiot and cheating. I think the penalty was very veyr harsh, in that respect.

My theory is simply that Alonso got some set-up secrets from Coughlan, and hinted to the team to try this, and bang, they cheat without knowing it.

My theory is simply that Alonso got some set-up secrets from Coughlan, and hinted to the team to try this, and bang, they cheat without knowing it.

My understanding of what was released by the FIA was that the penalty was handed down to McLaren because Coughlan knew of information regarding the F2007, and therefore had the potential (or possibly did so) to steer the development of the MP4-22 so that they could best combat the F2007's strengths.

By knowing what Ferrari has, Coughlan could sway the direction of the development of the car, even just by merely suggesting that the development engineers do something instead of something else.

You guys are still on about this ??????

Its simple McLaren got fined because a certain employee (Mike Coughlan) got information from a Ferrari employee (Nigel Stephney) and then some employees knew about the infromation and didn't infrom the FIA blah, blah, blah, blah.

It was never about McLaren using Ferrari information on their cars, like some would make you believe.

IMO how can the FIA justify the lose of all points from the constructors championship and not doing the same for the drivers championship ????

They can't its simple I have said this before and I will say it again they only kept the drivers championship alive so that they could keep audinece figures up because at the end of the day they care more about money & viewing figures over the real fan, now that annoys me but thats for another thread.

IMO how can the FIA justify the lose of all points from the constructors championship and not doing the same for the drivers championship ????

Like it has been said previously, the FIA gave the drivers the option of immunity if they provided information against Coighlan, which they did. Therefore, they weren't punished.