With its many fast corner combinations, the Suzuka Circuit, home to this weekend’s Japanese Grand Prix is one of the most challenging in the Formula One calendar. The gradients also contribute to making this a true race track and the esses in the first sector are crucial to lap times: drivers can lose a lot of time there if they don’t follow the ideal line. It’s a unique sector, no other Formula One circuit has anything like it.

There is also the tight hairpin, but the dominant features of the Japanese track are the medium and high-speed corners. It’s a real contrast to Singapore’s city circuit, where the teams were just days ago, which has more of a stop-go rhythm and that is why the car’s balance is so important here.

For BMW driver Nick Heidfeld, his Singapore race came to an abrupt halt when he collided with the stranded Force India of Adrian Sutil and he is looking forward to an even stronger run this weekend at what he considers his favourite circuit on the Formula One schedule...

“I’m thrilled that my favourite Formula One circuit is back on the calendar. It will be interesting to see what changes it has in store for us,” he said. “I know the track has been partly resurfaced, and there’s always the possibility of the forces of nature intervening – we’ve already had an earthquake and a close call with a typhoon. The weather is always an issue and there’s been torrential rain often enough in Suzuka.”

“It’s quite a long circuit, very varied, and it flows beautifully. The first section with its double-apex right-hander and sequence of esses is really superb. But you have to get into the flow properly; if you make a mistake in one turn, you’ll mess up all the rest. “I really enjoy going to Japan. The first time round I didn’t immediately take to it, but since then I’ve become a great fan. I just love the food and the unique atmosphere. I’ll be spending a few days in Tokyo ahead of the race in Suzuka.”