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Suzuka is the only figure-of-eight circuit on the F1 calendar and is another favourite among the drivers, with its sequence of demanding corners requiring total dedication and commitment from start to finish. It also stands out as it has the unusual distinction of being situated in the middle of an amusement park. This extremely fast and technical circuit boasts a varied range of corners, from tight hairpin and chicane to the flat out ‘130R’ left hander taken almost flat out.
Last race for Jarno
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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.
“The Japanese Grand Prix is a key race in the calendar for us because of our partnerships with Honda, Bridgestone and Brother Industries, as well as the great encouragement we have from our Japanese fans. I’m convinced fourth place is still within reach, although for sure it will be a tough fight for the last points,” he added.
For Jarno Trulli, Japan will be his last race for Jordan before he heads to Renault next year. The Italian will hope for a small slice of justice. His two years at Jordan have been memorable for two things – his electrifying qualifying speed and his appalling luck, he has driven well enough to have many more than his 2 year points total of 15. A good result in Suzuka might balance the scales a bit.
"Suzuka is a very technical circuit so it can be hard to get the best car set-up at this track," he said. "It's also one of most challenging circuits, together with Spa and Monaco. I have a lot of supporters in Japan and it's Honda's home race, so this race is very important to me."
Jean Alesi also may well be in his fifth and last race for Jordan, maybe even the final F1 race of his long career. The team has yet to confirm who will partner Giancarlo Fisichella next year but it is widely suspected that young Japanese star Takumo Sato will fill the seat. But the French-Sicilian will be putting the rumours out of his mind as he prepares for one of his favourite races of the year.
"I love going to Suzuka. Japan is my second home as my wife is Japanese and I have a lot of friends and sponsors there. The circuit is challenging as it is quite technical circuit, which makes it an interesting race for a driver. I have some very good memories from the 1994 race at Japan, when I had a race-long dual in the rain with Nigel Mansell. I finished third with Mansell in fourth."
Last race for Jim
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While in the past some teams have stayed abroad between the USA and Japanese Grands Prix, and Jordan often stays away between other so-called ‘flyaways’ in the season, the team departs for Suzuka this weekend after briefly returning to the UK for a few days.
Drivers Jean Alesi and Jarno Trulli will set off for Japan earlier than usual to acclimatise to the large time difference from Europe and to participate in a number of functions in Tokyo and Suzuka. Trulli and Alesi are scheduled to join Ferrari’s Michael Schumacher and Rubens Barrichello in Tokyo for a Bridgestone press conference on Wednesday afternoon at the New Otani Hotel, before setting off for the circuit.
Upon arrival at Suzuka, the team and drivers will enter a busy period of activity in the build up to the race. As it is Jarno’s final race for Jordan, he will be in higher demand than usual for media interviews and will also be enjoying his last race weekend with the mechanics and engineers he has worked with for two seasons.
It is Honda’s home race - they own the Suzuka circuit - so the team will be taking part in a number of Honda publicity and promotion events. There will be time for the team to party at the amusement park on Thursday night with all the F1 press. The weekend will culminate in a big Honda 'Thank You' party on Sunday night - the perfect send-off for Trulli and also for Race Team Manager, Jim Vale, who is returning to his native Australia after six years with Jordan Grand Prix.
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