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Another favourite among drivers, Suzuka is a unique figure of eight layout containing a mixture of tight and wide, fast corners. It has a smooth surface, but there are a few bumps that will require a stiff suspension setting. Given the varying corners, downforce settings will be medium. The Japanese circuit is one of the most challenging that the Formula One calendar has to offer. It demands that before a driver enters a corner he has already had to prepare for the next one. Suzuka is full of surprises and the chicane before the start-finish line can be very tricky. It seems quite simple to start with, but can entice a driver to brake too late, leading him to over run the corner and lose a second in the process. Benson and Hedges Jordan Honda goes to Suzuka determined to triumph in the hard fought battle for fourth place in the 2001 F1 Constructors Championship. Chief Executive Eddie Jordan commented, "We were really unlucky at Indianapolis with the decision to exclude Jarno's car. It must be our turn for some good luck soon and I'm hoping it will have an impression in Japan. This final Grand Prix is vital for Jordan as we want to score sufficient points to win fourth place regardless of the outcome of our appeal against the disqualification."
Michael Schumacher was fastest in opening practice in Suzuka, his Ferrari lapping consistently quicker than its rivals and setting the World Champion up for a Grand Finale to his dominant 2001 season. Jean Alesi was well on the pace in his Benson and Hedges Jordan Honda, setting the fifth fastest time, while Czech driver Tomas Enge was fortunate to escape unscathed from a high speed shunt at the end of the season.
This morning's ninety minutes of free practice points to the prospect of a thrilling qualifying session this afternoon. The Williams duo of Ralf Schumacher and Juan Pablo Montoya topped the time sheets, with the German the only man to break the 1m 34 second mark. Last year's pole time of 1.35.825 is already history.
Michael Schumacher totally dominated qualifying for tomorrow's Japanese Grand Prix, putting his Ferrari on pole position with a lap time of 1m 32.484s - a full 0.7s faster than his nearest rival, Juan Pablo Montoya in his Williams. The Benson and Hedges Jordan Honda pairing of Jarno Trulli and Jean Alesi qualifying 8th and 11th respectively, neither able to better times set early on in the session.
This morning's warm-up session is the final chance for the teams to try out their cars in race trim and make a final decision about race strategy. In truth, a two stop race is the just about the only logical route to take at Suzuka.
World Champion Michael Schumacher dominated the Japanese Grand Prix to close the season with a ninth win. He outpaced everyone, including second placed Juan Pablo Montoya, who never looked like mounting a serious challenge in the Williams. The Benson and Hedges Jordan Honda pairing of Jarno Trulli and Jean Alesi had a difficult race, the former finishing 8th and the latter an innocent victim of Kimi Raikkonen's high speed accident during the early stages. |
