“The major feature of Fuji is naturally its very long straight, which is followed by the first of the slow corners," director of motorsport tyre development Hirohide Hamashima explains, "This configuration should present some interesting overtaking opportunities for the drivers, so I’m looking forward to seeing the racing next weekend. There are only two high speed corners: the 100R and 300R and, consequently, I expect that car set-ups will be in a low downforce configuration. From a compound point of view, we do not expect problems with wear as the surface is relatively smooth. We could, however, see some graining on the front left tyres, especially from the 100R corner, but we don’t believe it will be severe.”
Bridgestone tyres were used in both of the previous grands prix at this track. In 1976, Japanese driver Kazuyoshi Hoshino, driving a privately-entered Tyrrell-Ford on Bridgestone tyres, ran as high as third during the race. It was the first time that Bridgestone tyres had been used in a grand prix and Hoshino was only denied a strong finish in the race as a result of not having sufficient wheels fitted with tyres in the variable weather race.
“We have learnt a lot from racing at Fuji over the years and, by combining this knowledge with simulation data, we have been able to predict the need for the medium and soft tyres from our 2007 range," Hamashima continues, "We are confident that these tyres will work well and should produce some good racing.”
THE TRACK:
Race Distance: 67 laps - Circuit Length 2.852 miles (4.563km)
After 20 years of racing at Suzuka, Formula One returns to Fuji this weekend, 31 years after the picturesque circuit hosted the first ever Japanese Grand Prix in
1976. Despite providing a suitably dramatic conclusion to that year's world title battle, the circuit's time on the calendar was short-lived and the race was dropped a year later because of safety concerns.
Brought by
Toyota in 2000 and given a major facelift by
Formula One's resident architect, Hermann Tilke, the revamped Fuji International Speedway stands shoulder-to-shoulder with its modern rivals, both with a challenging new track layout and state-of-the-art infrastructure.
