Japanese F1 GP Preview -- Mercedes-Benz

 

Toto Talks Japan

We have made a positive start to the season but it is only that. In both Australia and China, we had several close calls that could have ended our weekend. These cars are new and fragile; we were fortunate that none of the issues we faced severely compromised our results. We have work to do to make sure that continues to be the case. The grid is also learning so much every time we take to the track. Each weekend brings a new set of challenges and we are focused on completing our work, and looking to improve. We know that the moment you think you've got this sport figured out, you are usually proven wrong. 

That is as true for Kimi as it is for the team. His win in China was a great achievement and a moment to be proud of. However, his focus and ours are on what is ahead. His first victory is a first step and all that matters is how he builds on it. We will support him to navigate the expectations that come with performing at the front more consistently.

We're also hopeful that the exciting racing we saw in Melbourne and Shanghai will continue in Japan. Suzuka is one of the world's great race tracks but it has, in recent years, been a difficult place to overtake. Hopefully under these new regulations we can put on a good show for the fans.

Finally, we will be sporting an edgy look for this weekend's race. As a team, we continue to lead the way in blending our sport and wider culture and that is reflected in our work with Y-3's legendary Japanese designer, Yohji Yamamoto. It is fitting that his collection will be seen on the team trackside, plus his designs on the drivers' overalls and helmets, and on the W17 itself. It is a significant honour to partner on such a collaboration with Y-3, becoming only the third sports team after the Japanese national football team and Real Madrid to do so, and I'm sure it will prove to be an iconic one.

Third Driver Insights

The Japanese Grand Prix is truly one of a kind. Suzuka is a legendary circuit, steeped in decades of Formula 1 heritage, and it reminds me exactly why I became a racing driver.

The rhythm of the track is incredible. The fast, flowing corners push you physically and mentally, demanding precision, commitment, and total trust in the car. It’s a real driver’s challenge, the kind that brings out the pure joy of driving. It can be tricky to overtake at Suzuka but we've seen some fantastic racing so far this year; it's not an energy poor circuit but there will be some interesting decisions to take with deployment and that could lead once again to some great battles.

Last but by no means least, there are the fans. The Japanese supporters are some of the most passionate and creative in the world; their love for Formula 1 is almost beyond compare. Their energy makes the entire weekend feel special.

Did you know?

• Suzuka holds the distinction of being the only circuit we race at that is laid out in a figure-of-eight configuration.
• 2026 will be the 40th edition of the Japanese Grand Prix.
• No Grand Prix or track has seen more F1 world champions crowned than Japan (13) and Suzuka (12). The 1976 season was settled at Fuji.
• The 1994 Japanese Grand Prix remains the last occasion a race was decided using aggregate times after the race was split into two parts due to a red flag.
• All six of Mercedes’ wins in Japan came in consecutive seasons between 2014 and 2019.
• Mercedes clinched a record-equalling sixth consecutive Constructors’ title at Suzuka in 2019.
• In 2025, Kimi became the youngest driver to set a Grand Prix fastest lap in history by setting the quickest race tour in Suzuka.
• In the same race, Kimi also became the youngest in Grand Prix history to lead a lap, holding P1 for 10 of the 53 tours.

2026 Japanese Grand Prix
Session	Local Time (JST)	Brackley (GMT)	Stuttgart (CET)
Practice One – Friday	11:30 – 12:30	02:30 – 03:30	03:30 – 04:30
Practice Two - Friday	15:00 – 16:00	06:00 – 07:00	07:00 – 08:00
Practice Three – Saturday	11:30 – 12:30	02:30 – 03:30	03:30 – 04:30
Qualifying – Saturday	15:00 – 16:00	06:00 – 07:00	07:00 – 08:00
Grand Prix - Sunday	14:00	06:00	07:00

 

Circuit Characteristics
Circuit Length	5.807 km
Race Laps	53
Race Distance	307.5 km
Number of Corners	18 (8 L / 10 R)
Distance from Pole to First Braking Zone	330m
Pole Position Side	Left
Pit Lane Length Under Speed Limit Control	396m
Drive-Through Time at 80 km/h	18s
Braking Events (>2G)	4
Heavy Braking Events (<0.4s @ >4G)	1
Braking Energy	Medium
Top Speed	326 km/h (expected)
Race Lap Record	1:31.0 (ANT, 2025)
Absolute Lap Record	1:27.0 (VER, Q3, 2025)

 

Race Characteristics (2018 – 2019 & 2022 - 2025)
Safety Car Probability	40%	Average Track Temperature	27.8 °C
Average Ambient Temperature	14.8 °C	Maximum Track Temperature	40 °C
Maximum Ambient Temperature	19.2 °C	Wet Session Probability	7%