Japanese Grand Prix 2022 — Weekend Preview

Round 18 of the 2022 Formula 1 World Championship takes the field to Suzuka, Japan. Japanese Grand Prix — The Driver's Circuit. Max Verstappen leads the championship with 325 points, 100 points ahead of Sergio Perez.

Driver Championship (entering R18):
P1: Max Verstappen — 325 pts (11W, 13P)
P2: Sergio Perez — 225 pts (2W, 8P)
P3: Charles Leclerc — 223 pts (3W, 8P)
P4: George Russell — 198 pts (0W, 7P)
P5: Carlos Sainz — 191 pts (1W, 8P)

Constructor Championship:
P1: Red Bull Racing — 550 pts
P2: Ferrari — 414 pts
P3: Mercedes — 367 pts
P4: McLaren — 122 pts
P5: Alpine — 122 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 — 100 points separate them.

P4 vs P5: George Russell (198) vs Carlos Sainz (191) — just 7 points apart.

Understand this race better:

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