The first Japanese Grand Prix was held in 1976 at Fuji Speedway, a high-speed circuit near Mount Fuji. It made an immediate impact on F1 history:

• 1976: The infamous title-decider where James Hunt won the championship after Niki Lauda retired mid-race in heavy rain, having recently returned from his near-fatal crash.

• 1977: Mario Andretti took the win, but the event was marred by a tragic crash that killed two spectators — resulting in Japan’s removal from the F1 calendar for nearly a decade.

Formula 1 returned to Japan in 1987, this time at the iconic Suzuka Circuit, designed by John Hugenholtz and owned by Honda.

Suzuka became legendary for its:

• Unique figure-eight layout — the only one on the F1 calendar

• Fast corners like 130R and S-Curves

• High driver skill requirement and unpredictable weather