
Your guide to the Japanese Grand Prix – Presented by OKX
"It’s a great track to race, and a great place to be"

Japan in Spring… This is a little different, isn’t it? Arriving in Suzuka during cherry blossom season felt like a real treat, and so will racing at the historic circuit so early into the season, given its fan-favourite status.
Since the introduction of the Japanese Grand Prix in 1976, originally at the Fuji Speedway circuit, the race has always taken place towards the end of the season, playing host to various title deciders. But for 2024, we’ll be racing at Suzuka in April, as part of F1’s sustainability efforts, with the aim of “creating a more efficient flow of races”.
And it’s for that reason that Lando, Oscar, Andrea Stella and the team stepped off the plane during the beautiful, crisp Japanese springtime, ready and raring to hit the Suzuka International Racing Course and build on our Australian Grand Prix podium. Ahead of the race, the three of them discussed their expectations for the weekend, which we’ve combined with our usual array of track insights, F1 Icebreakers and a guide on what to wear.
RACE WEEKEND DETAILS




- FP1Fri 5 Apr02:3003:30
- FP2Fri 5 Apr06:0007:00
- FP3Sat 6 Apr02:3003:30
- QualifyingSat 6 Apr06:0007:00
- RaceSun 7 Apr05:0007:00

SECTORS
DRS
FIRST GP
1987
LAPS
53
CIRCUIT LENGTH
5.807
DISTANCE
307.471

“I’m excited for the Japanese Grand Prix, it’s one of my favourite tracks and it’s always fun to see all the fans, they’re always so passionate. We’ll also be racing in a special livery, which looks really cool.
“It was great to be back at the MTC last week, celebrating our Australian GP result with everyone at the factory. I’ve been going over the data from Australia and preparing for the next race with my engineers. It’s been a decent start to the season for us so far, we’re focused on pushing forward and continuing to take the fight to our competitors.”

“Suzuka up next! The Japanese Grand Prix holds good memories for me from my first-ever grand prix podium and a double podium for the team. After a P4 finish in Australia where we were in the fight, we’re even more determined to continue improving to hopefully achieve another good result.
“I really like the livery we’ll be running in Japan. I’m also looking forward to seeing all the fans and experiencing the enthusiastic atmosphere they always bring. It’s a great track to race, and a great place to be.”

“Following our successful result in Australia, we now turn our attention to Japan. The Suzuka circuit is always a fan and driver favourite. While the nature of the track can offer some challenges, it makes for some great racing.
“While this circuit has been good to us in the past, we must keep in mind the steps forward we are yet to take. However, our podium finish in Australia serves as a good reminder that we are on the right track, we just need to keep focusing on ourselves and executing our plan and the results will keep coming.”

The MCL38 will carry a bespoke livery at the 2024 Japanese Grand Prix designed by artist MILTZ
Track insights
Famed for being the only Formula 1 track that crosses over itself, the Suzuka International Racing Course's iconic figure-of-eight layout provides enthralling racing as well as looking stunning from above.
Combining rapid changes of direction with steep elevation changes, Suzuka is a busy lap. The first half is highly technical and begins downhill with two right-handers. Cars then head back uphill towards one of the most challenging sections of circuit on the calendar, the ‘S’ curves, which run from Turns 3 to 7. Bordered by grass and gravel traps, this rather narrow part of the circuit is where the changes of direction begin to come into full force as cars are required to snake through a series of left and right-handed corners.
The circuit’s next-sternest test comes in the circuit’s high-speed second half. The 130R corner, Turn 15, is a high-speed left-hander that can be taken at around 190mph. Drivers can accelerate in the lead-up to the turn and line up a move under braking at the following chicane ahead of a DRS zone on the pit-straight.
The Degner corners, Turns 8 and 9, and the Spoon curve, Turns 13 and 14, are also well worth paying attention to.
Exploring the streets of Tokyo
The season so far
In Australia, we notched our first podium of the season and cemented the last three rounds as our best start to a Formula 1 season since 2012. Our 55-point haul has us third in the Constructors’ Championship. Lando and Oscar enjoyed a solid race Down Under, with Oscar comfortably securing fourth at his second home Grand Prix, whilst Lando raced to third.
F1 translations: Aerodynamics
F1 is full of specialist slang and complicated jargon that can stump even the most avid of fans, which is why we’ll be explaining common F1 terminology ahead of each grand prix this season. This week, it’s Aerodynamics…
Aerodynamics is arguably the most fundamental aspect of Formula 1 car design, and is a particularly interesting topic at the Japanese Grand Prix, as the Suzuka International Racing Course allows cars to fully showcase their aerodynamic ability.
The principal aim is to design a car that has minimal drag and maximises downforce, achieved by managing how air flows around every area of the car, from the front and rear wings to the sidepods and everywhere in between.
A car with less drag will be faster down the straights and a car with more downforce will be quicker and handle better in the corners, while also achieving more grip. It’s for this reason that Suzuka provides a particularly interesting aerodynamic test of cars, with the circuit’s high-speed corners requiring high downforce and the full-throttle sections demanding low drag.

Become part of the team
F1 icebreaker
Stuck for conversation with your F1-loving friends? Spark up a discussion with our F1 icebreaker…
James Hunt (1976), Mika Häkkinen (1998, ’99), Ayrton Senna (1988, ‘90, ’91) and Alain Prost (1989) all clinched the Formula 1 World Championship at the Japanese Grand Prix.
The fit: Rep the team
We went all out Australian for Oscar’s home race, but the Japanese Grand Prix is about showcasing your love for the team, so now is your chance to get your Australian Grand Prix collection in the wash and kit yourself out in our teamwear.
If you’re attempting to watch all of the sessions this weekend (of course you are), then there’s no better energy boost than a nice daytime walk, and whilst it may be Spring, we’re not done with layering just yet – don’t let the sunnier evenings fool you.
We’d recommend starting with our polo shirt underneath the quarter zip, before completing the look with our soft-shell jacket and the Replica 9Fifty cap.