Japanese Grand Prix 2023 — Weekend Preview

Round 16 of the 2023 Formula 1 World Championship takes the field to Suzuka, Japan. Japanese Grand Prix — The Driver's Circuit. Max Verstappen leads the championship with 352 points, 144 points ahead of Sergio Perez.

Driver Championship (entering R16):
P1: Max Verstappen — 352 pts (12W, 14P)
P2: Sergio Perez — 208 pts (2W, 8P)
P3: Lewis Hamilton — 176 pts (0W, 5P)
P4: Fernando Alonso — 163 pts (0W, 7P)
P5: Carlos Sainz — 127 pts (1W, 2P)

Constructor Championship:
P1: Red Bull Racing — 560 pts
P2: Mercedes — 278 pts
P3: Ferrari — 239 pts
P4: Aston Martin — 204 pts
P5: McLaren — 129 pts

Suzuka is technically demanding, steeped in motorsport history.

Recent winners at Suzuka:
- 2026: Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes)
- 2025: Max Verstappen (Red Bull Racing)
- 2024: Max Verstappen (Red Bull Racing)
- 2023: Max Verstappen (Red Bull Racing)
- 2022: Max Verstappen (Red Bull Racing)

Tyre strategy data will be available after practice sessions provide degradation information.

Battles to watch:

Championship battle: Max Verstappen vs Sergio Perez — 144 points separate them.

P3 vs P4: Lewis Hamilton (176) vs Fernando Alonso (163) — just 13 points apart.
P5 vs P6: Carlos Sainz (127) vs Charles Leclerc (112) — just 15 points apart.

Understand this race better:

- [Downforce](/f1/learning/tactical-intelligence/downforce)
- [Aero Balance](/f1/learning/tactical-intelligence/aero-balance)