Red Bull driver Max Verstappen can make it back-to-back world titles in Japan this weekend as Formula 1 returns to Suzuka for the first time since 2019; watch the race live at 6am on Sunday, with build-up from 4.30am
Saturday 8 October 2022 21:56, UK
The Japanese Grand Prix has proven pivotal in the title race throughout its history on the Formula 1 calendar and this year's race at Suzuka is no exception.
After not being held in 2020 and 2021 due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the Japanese Grand Prix returns this weekend and could see Max Verstappen crowned as world champion.
Sunday's race is at 6am, with build-up from 4.30am.
After finishing seventh in Singapore, Verstappen needs to outscore Ferrari's Charles Leclerc by eight points and Red Bull team-mate Sergio Perez by six points to make it back-to-back drivers' titles.
Should the 25-year-old do so, it would give Red Bull's Japanese power unit technical partner Honda a reason to celebrate in their home race too.
Since its inception as a Formula 1 race in 1976, the Japanese Grand Prix has seen the Drivers' Championship decided on 12 occasions - starting with James Hunt's title triumph over Niki Lauda in the rain at Fuji in the second edition the following year.
The event's return to the calendar at Suzuka in 1987 after a nine-year absence saw Nelson Piquet secure his third world title, with compatriot Ayrton Senna sealing the first of his three championships with victory one year later.
The Japanese Grand Prix of 1989 and 1990 have gone down as two of the most infamous in Formula 1's history with collisions between Senna and bitter rival Alain Prost proving decisive.
Prost was crowned champion after the Brazilian's disqualification in the former, with a first-corner clash in the latter which took both drivers out seeing Senna claim title glory. He would follow that up by sealing the last of his championships in the 1991 race at Suzuka.
Damon Hill's emotional victory in 1996 saw him follow in his late father Graham's footsteps of being crowned world champion, while both of Mika Hakkinen's titles (1998 and 1999) were secured at Suzuka too.
Michael Schumacher (2001 and 2003) won two of his world titles in Japan, although if Verstappen was to triumph he would be the first driver to seal the title at Suzuka since former Red Bull racer Sebastian Vettel in 2011.
Sunday, October 9
4.30am: Japanese GP build-up: Grand Prix Sunday
6am: THE JAPANESE GRAND PRIX
8am: Japanese GP reaction: Chequered Flag
9am: Ted's Notebook
9.30am: Japanese GP replay
12.30pm: Japanese GP highlights
