Suzuka, the most loved and imitated circuit. The fear of typhoon Trami - which unfortunately has done serious damage in Japan - has now passed. At Suzuka the days before the Grand Prix are full of bright sunshine and late summer temperatures. But the weather announces imminent rain, which could last, sometimes, until Saturday before qualifying.
Most of the team arrived in Japan directly from Russia. It is always exciting to see how the Suzuka International Circuit comes alive day after day, as families who take the children to the big amusement park mingle with the fans of Formula 1, who are truly unique here for passion and inventiveness.
If you ask a driver - and those of Scuderia Ferrari are no exception - to list his three favorite tracks, 99 percent will include the track created in 1962 by the Dutchman John Hugenholz to build a test track commissioned by Honda. It is actually a "modular" circuit, which can take advantage of different configurations and lengths depending on the type of race: but the track of the Grand Prix, with its 5,807 Km, is naturally the best known. A succession of breathless curves, including the upward double "they" that inspired more modern installations such as Austin. Few braking, top speed close to 330 Kmh despite not long straights, overtaking not easy but always busy riders. A "rhythm" track where a good aerodynamic balance is the key to being fast.