Edisi Khusus: Michael Schumacher

Grand Prix Formula 1 - 2001

 
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  Grand Prix Jepang -- 14 Oktober 2001
 
Jum'at - 12/10
Latihan Bebas 1
Latihan Bebas 2
Sabtu - 13/10
Latihan Bebas 1
Latihan Bebas 2
Kualifikasi
Minggu - 14/10
Pemanasan
Balapan

Circuit information:

Round Number: 17  
Race Date: 14-10-2001  
Country: Japan  
City: Suzuka (click for location map)  

Circuit Name: Suzuka  
Circuit Length: 5864 m.  
Number of Laps: 53  
Race Length: 310.596 m  

2000 Pole Position: Michael Schumacher  
2000 Winner: Michael Schumacher  
2000 Fastest Lap: Mika Häkkinen  


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Circuit Description, History, Facts and Figures  
There have only been fifteen Japanese F1 Grands Prix, but right from the first edition, the Land of the Rising Sun has often been the Land of the Racing Sensation.

In 1976, the grand prix circus arrived at Mount Fuji circuit for the final round of the championship, with James Hunt in the McLaren needing to finish four points ahead of Niki Lauda in the Ferrari, to take his first title. The race was held in appalling conditions which saw the course car aquaplaning off the track even before the start! As for Mount Fuji itself, it was hidden in the clouds.

Lauda was almost literally back from the dead, having survived terrible injuries in a fire at the German GP. After one lap he retired, judging the conditions too dangerous. Hunt led at first, but eventually finished third, unaware he had done enough to take the title. He won the race the following year and that was the last anyone saw of Japan until 1987, when the race came to its present home.

Suzuka is probably the Japanese word for "controversy" as rage and recrimination are often on the menu. In 1989, Ayrton Senna had to beat McLaren team-mate Alain Prost to have any chance of retaining his championship crown. He tried to pass the Frenchman at the tight chicane and the two cars ended up locked together. While Prost retired on the spot, Senna pitted for repairs and was first past the flag. However, he was disqualified and vowed never to talk to Prost again.

The following year, it was Prost in a Ferrari who needed to win to keep his title hopes alive. Senna, on pole, was angry at not being allowed to start from the "clean" side of the track and to make sure of the title simply drove Prost off the road at the very first corner; a potentially lethal move, given the high speeds involved. The Brazilian, also out of the race, later admitted he did it deliberately. In the post race conference, he launched a scathing attack on the sport's governing body, liberally peppered with swear words, much to the bemusement of the crowd, who heard it all over the Public Address system!

The 1990 race also marked the one and only F1 podium appearance of a Japanese driver, as Aguri Suzuki finished third. In 1993, Senna was at it again; punching F1 debutant Eddie Irvine for not showing enough respect when being lapped!

Suzuka is the only track on the F1 calendar that uses a figure-of-eight course. Will that be an advantage for Ferrari? Their own private test track at Fiorano shares that unusual configuration.

Three Japanese drivers share the honour of being the first to represent their country in a grand prix. Masahiro Hasemi, Kazuyoshi Hoshino and Noritake Takahara all took part in the 1976 edition of their home race. Takahara was ninth in a Surtees, Hasemi was eleventh and last in a Kojima and Hoshino retired in a Tyrrell.

On nine occasions the Japanese GP, traditionally held towards the end of the season, has decided the outcome of the Drivers' World Championship: once at Mount Fuji and eight times at Suzuka.

Ayrton Senna and Michael Schumacher are the only two drivers to have won the Japanese Grand Prix by starting from pole position, leading from start to finish and setting the fastest race lap: the Brazilian in 1988 for McLaren and the German in 1995 for Benetton.

There has been an all-McLaren front row at this race on three occasions, in 1988, 1989 and 1991. The 1988 and 1991 races also gave them a one-two finish. Benetton finished first and second in 1990.

The 1994 Japanese GP was stopped and re-started after 13 laps because of heavy rain. It was one of only eleven grands prix to have been run in two parts.

Located between Osaka and Nagoya, south-west of Tokyo, Suzuka has been a regular date on the Grand Prix calendar since 1987. Suzuka is now firmly established as the scene of F1's grand finale with championship battles providing unusual incidents.

The track is fast and requires enormous powers of concentration around corners such as the Spoon and 130R. Local knowledge helps so watch out for any driver who has raced for a season in Japan - they often know the shortcuts.

The circuit is unique to the Championship in that it follows a figure of eight pattern with numerous turns and straights, thus providing both clockwise and anticlockwise movement for the cars. Cars normally opt for medium to soft settings with stiff suspension to take in the various bumps in what is otherwise a smooth surface.

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  Sirkuit - 2001

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