Kip's GP History
In the past, this circuit has seen so many historic memories of the world championships of the past, even from the circuits very first Inception into the sport, in 1987 when the circuit was first in use, Nigel Mansell injured himself in accident he sustained in practice effectively handing the title to his team mate Nelson Piquet.
Senna and Prost colliding at the first corner in 1990 with Senna vowed that if Prost (starting second) got the advantage into the first corner, which most were sure he would, he would never make it into the first corner. This was exactly what happened come race day at the start, with Senna ramming Prost off the track at break-neck speeds into the gravel and the tire barriers. The crash meant that Senna had clinched the drivers' championship for a second time, as with one race left in the season; Prost could not overtake his points tally. The result also meant that McLaren-Honda clinched the Constructor's Championship.
In 1996 the circuit saw Damon Hill claim his first and only World title, But this was a special title because this so far the one and only time that a child of a previous world champion has actually won the world title themselves. Jacques Villeneuve and Damon Hill going into the last race Hill only needed 1pt to win, With Jacques on Pole and Damon next to him, Hill gets a lightning start and rockets into turn one, the race kept going with Damon in the lead and after a pitstop Jacques had made... From 5th place, His right rear tire had come off going into turn one, and with this gifting the title to Damon, He drove the car home to an emphatic atmosphere around him, Murray Walker at the time commenting on the BBC's coverage of the race (This was BBC's last race of F1, and F1 was on ITV until 2009) was also a close friend of Damon's and his commentary was one of his best ever moments. And I leave a video here from the last lap at Suzuka from 1996 with Murray's Commentary
In 2000 Michael Schumacher gained his 3rd World title at the Circuit and the following years he showed he could take the championship an impressive 4 more times.
In 2003, Kimi Raikkonen went toe to toe with Michael Schumacher and Juan Pablo Montoya and eventually lost by 2pts, but this was one of the closet championships of the early 00s
In 2005 with Fernando Alonso already World champion he could set his sights on going out to win the last two races of the season. BUT the weather had other ideas for Qualifying, with the system how it ran in 2005, it ended up with the Frontrunners, starting from the back and as race day came Along, it gave us what is regarded as one of the best races in history, 2 Overtaking manoeuvres stand out from this race, The first being Fernando Alonso taking Michael Schumacher around the outside the 130R, this, I believe is the very symbol of Michael losing his throne to Fernando and proving his not the almighty invincible, and the second overtaking pass was Kimi Raikkonen around the Outside of Giancarlo Fisichella into turn one on the last lap. This was a time where the Finn was just in his element and was going for a do or die pass that makes him the great driver he is.
I wonder if Suzuka can deliver us a spectacular race for 2010?? If the past is anything to go by, I think we're in for a real Corker :)
my second with Lotus
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