25 replies to this topic

[CLX]

Which race track is better?

[Enkei]

They should both stay imo. Both tracks are very good, but Sepang offers more overtaking possibilities, so I voted Sepang.

[MortenF1]

Suzuka. I think. It's flowing lay-out, and the mighty 130R, and the elevation changes. It's a cool track, and still quite fast. But I like Sepang as well... :

[Ferrari_F1_fan_2001]

Sepang looks pretty as well as being a great track, Susuka is a great track but looks too "sandy" on the TV camera's its still a fantastic track though and i love drivin on it in F1-2002

[biercemountain]

I voted Suzuka. Next to Spa it is my favorite F1 track. Although Sepang my offer more overtaking, it lacks the character and history that Suzuka has.

Whenever I go to the video arcade and play Ferrari 355 I always race the Suzuka circuit. Getting the "S" turns right is a real challenge.

[Louis Mr. F1]

no comparison.
Sepang, stop-go, easy circuit.
Suzuka, every corner is a challenge.

[CLX]

Originally posted by Louis Mr. F1
Sepang, stop-go, easy circuit.

I wouldn't say that. Sepang has lots of different corners and the set-up isn't that easy to find. Remember how hard it was for Mika to drive at Sepang in 1999? McLaren still had a very good car back then.

[jdanton]

Suzuka--there is no comparison. Suzuka vs. Spa now there's a challenge...

[Mosquito]

Originally posted by jdanton
Suzuka--there is no comparison. Suzuka vs. Spa now there's a challenge...

I agree 100%. Sinced when is Sepang a true contender in the 'great circuits' leage?

[Ross Stonefeld]

Suzuka is better than Spa.

Sepang is on par with the old Las Vegas track

[Todd]

Originally posted by Ross Stonefeld
Suzuka is better than Spa.

Sepang is on par with the old Las Vegas track

I realize that it was 1981, but did Bernie have a hand in this track layout or what? It was a big letter "E."

http://www.forix.com...&l=0&r=8115&c=0

[Rediscoveryx]

I think Sepang is a very good track. I think Suzuka is a bit overrated as a circuit. The only dramatic races there (apart from the 1994 and 1989 race perhaps) have been dramatic because of the championship.

I think the two tracks both are among the best on the calendar and should stay, but I voted Sepang to narrow the gap down a bit, because I anticipate that Suzuka has the lead at the moment.

[SlateGray]

Suzuka gets my vote.

or as Mika says suz-e-ka!

[Mosquito]

Originally posted by Rediscoveryx
I think Suzuka is a bit overrated as a circuit.

Well, some notable people tend to disagree with you, allow me some quotes:

Pat Symonds (Benetton): "Suzuka is a superb circuit. It is extremely challenging with some good high speed corners and a very difficult section from the back of the pits all the way up to the hairpin. It is also very challenging for the drivers. It is one of the few Grand Prix's left where a driver's knowledge of the track plays an important part in the lap time he can achieve. There are specialists on this circuit who have spent time racing in Japan and have gained the benefit of that experience."

"The set-up that is needed is one that gives the car precision. You need to have a good change of direction for the difficult section behind the pits, as well as good high speed stability for challenging corners such as the R130 and the first corner."

Damon Hill: "Suzuka is one of the best circuits we go to. I think it is because it's a long lap with a variety of corners that keeps your mind occupied. It is a technical circuit so when you get it right you get a good lap time." "It is a very challenging, and stunning track. The circuit requires a good deal of commitment and knowledge. It is a little like Spa, a long lap with several difficult corners."

"The start-finish line is actually on a downward slope which presents a few difficulties at the start to ensure you don't roll forward an get a jump start penalty. The only real chances you have to overtake are in the last corner and into the hairpin at turn six. One would think it was possible out of spoon corner, but it is actually deceptively fast there."

Eddie Irvine: "Suzuka is my favourite circuit. It's like my home Grand Prix because I raced in Japan for three years and I had a lot of fun here and I have enjoyed coming back. The high speed corners and flowing layout makes it a challenge to drive. Except for the chicane before the pit straight, which is too tight, it's a track which has some great corners and you get a lot of satisfaction out of a quick lap.

Michael Schumacher: "The Suzuka circuit is one of the few racetracks which has not only one but a couple of high speed corners. It also provides some very nice and fluent corner combinations which challenge a race driver to the utmost. This makes Suzuka very special. Everything has to fit perfectly together to find the rhythm in order to achieve a good laptime."

David Coulthard:"Suzuka is right up there with Spa as one of the best in terms of high-speed challenge. The chicane is a wee bit too tight, but the rest of the track is demanding, physical and very challenging. It's difficult to race closely on, but to drive and qualify on, Suzuka is a great track."

Ralf Schumacher: "Setting the car up for Suzuka is difficult because you have to find the optimum compromise between aerodynamical downforce and mechanical grip. Suzuka places many demands on the cars and the drivers. Through the fast, sweeping 'S' curves mechanical grip is very important, then through the Degner and Spoon Curves the need shifts to aerodynamic grip from downforce. In the first Spoon, for example, you brake very late and deep into the corner, then in the second part the car always understeers, so you have to turn in a little early to balance things out. One of the most exciting corners is 130R - a very fast left hand corner, taken nearly flat in sixth gear."

Mika Hakkinen: I really like Suzuka and the fact that it's a fast and challenging circuit is ideal for a Championship decider."

[Louis Mr. F1]

Originally posted by CLX


I wouldn't say that. Sepang has lots of different corners and the set-up isn't that easy to find. Remember how hard it was for Mika to drive at Sepang in 1999? McLaren still had a very good car back then.

It was a tough race for Mika becase MS's Ferrari was playing tricks on him, also with the extreme hot weather. But it has nothing to do with the design of the circuit. Anyone with 2 hands could've designed a more challenging track.

[Rediscoveryx]

Originally posted by Mosquito
Well, some notable people tend to disagree with you, allow me some quotes:

Pat Symonds (Benetton): "Suzuka is a superb circuit. It is extremely challenging with some good high speed corners and a very difficult section from the back of the pits all the way up to the hairpin. It is also very challenging for the drivers. It is one of the few Grand Prix's left where a driver's knowledge of the track plays an important part in the lap time he can achieve. There are specialists on this circuit who have spent time racing in Japan and have gained the benefit of that experience."

"The set-up that is needed is one that gives the car precision. You need to have a good change of direction for the difficult section behind the pits, as well as good high speed stability for challenging corners such as the R130 and the first corner."

Damon Hill: "Suzuka is one of the best circuits we go to. I think it is because it's a long lap with a variety of corners that keeps your mind occupied. It is a technical circuit so when you get it right you get a good lap time." "It is a very challenging, and stunning track. The circuit requires a good deal of commitment and knowledge. It is a little like Spa, a long lap with several difficult corners."

"The start-finish line is actually on a downward slope which presents a few difficulties at the start to ensure you don't roll forward an get a jump start penalty. The only real chances you have to overtake are in the last corner and into the hairpin at turn six. One would think it was possible out of spoon corner, but it is actually deceptively fast there."

Eddie Irvine: "Suzuka is my favourite circuit. It's like my home Grand Prix because I raced in Japan for three years and I had a lot of fun here and I have enjoyed coming back. The high speed corners and flowing layout makes it a challenge to drive. Except for the chicane before the pit straight, which is too tight, it's a track which has some great corners and you get a lot of satisfaction out of a quick lap.

Michael Schumacher: "The Suzuka circuit is one of the few racetracks which has not only one but a couple of high speed corners. It also provides some very nice and fluent corner combinations which challenge a race driver to the utmost. This makes Suzuka very special. Everything has to fit perfectly together to find the rhythm in order to achieve a good laptime."

David Coulthard:"Suzuka is right up there with Spa as one of the best in terms of high-speed challenge. The chicane is a wee bit too tight, but the rest of the track is demanding, physical and very challenging. It's difficult to race closely on, but to drive and qualify on, Suzuka is a great track."

Ralf Schumacher: "Setting the car up for Suzuka is difficult because you have to find the optimum compromise between aerodynamical downforce and mechanical grip. Suzuka places many demands on the cars and the drivers. Through the fast, sweeping 'S' curves mechanical grip is very important, then through the Degner and Spoon Curves the need shifts to aerodynamic grip from downforce. In the first Spoon, for example, you brake very late and deep into the corner, then in the second part the car always understeers, so you have to turn in a little early to balance things out. One of the most exciting corners is 130R - a very fast left hand corner, taken nearly flat in sixth gear."

Mika Hakkinen: I really like Suzuka and the fact that it's a fast and challenging circuit is ideal for a Championship decider."

Hmm... maybe I should have clarified myself a bit

I don't think it's a bad circuit, but I don't think that it's up there with Spa-Franchorchamps either. And Sepang has been praised a lot as well, here are some quotes I found on Forix:

Damon Hill - "The track is quite challenging and the fact that it is long makes it even more exciting because you can make a real difference to your lap time if you get it right. It is a very interesting track with lots of corners and you are always trying to pick your turn-in-points. The track is very wide, probably the widest track we race on, which means there are some overtaking opportunities, such as at the first corner and the last corner."

Mika Häkkinen - "I like the track because it’s purpose built for Formula One and the facilities are excellent. The track offers numerous opportunities to overtake, which makes the race more exciting for everyone."

Eddie Irvine - "This is a very good circuit. It is extremely difficult, but enjoyable because of that. There are several blind corners where you cannot see the exit and there a lot of very long turns as well. Because there are so many corners and so many different types it is very difficult to balance the car."

Juan Pablo Montoya - "Great circuit, I really enjoyed it a lot last year, even if I was a bit disappointed at the end, because I could not finish the race."

Michael Schumacher - "The car is fun to drive on this circuit. The track is quite challenging, but nice with some interesting corners, which is rather unusual for a brand new circuit"

[StickShift]

I voted for Suzuka, itis a greatflowing circuit with plenty of elevation.

Sepang is a good circuit in general. However I think that it has two major flaws. The track has absolutely no elevation, and it is way too wide. and having maure fires just outside of the property probably isn't that popular.

[cartfan76]

I had to go w/Suzuka, as it's much more of a "driver's circuit". However, Sepang does offer more opportunities for overtaking...but..that's the tradeoff we've gotta live with in an age where mechanical grip is overshadowed by aero grip...

[AndreasF1]

Comparing Sepang to Suzuka is an insult to John Hugenholtz. Probably the greatest track designer. Suzuka and Zandovoort are his babies - the best!!

[baddog]

sepang is a very good circuit. mainly because it is very unique, and good control drivers seem to be able to shine there (partly due to the rain). Its one of the best 5-6 circuits in f1 for sure.

Suzuka however is the joint best circuit to watch an F1 car on in the series (and possibly the world). Watching Michael v Mika there in recent years has been pure pleasure.

Shaun

[scheivlak]

Originally posted by AndreasF1
Comparing Sepang to Suzuka is an insult to John Hugenholtz. Probably the greatest track designer. Suzuka and Zandovoort are his babies - the best!!

Hugenholtz was the Zandvoort circuit director - but not its designer! The design was made by 'Bentley boy' Sammy Davis, in close cooperation with some Dutch enthousiasts.

[AndreasF1]

scheivlak wrote Hugenholtz was the Zandvoort circuit director - but not its designer! The design was made by 'Bentley boy' Sammy Davis, in close cooperation with some Dutch enthousiasts.
________________
Not according to Nigel Roebuck on Autosport.com
"So the race was lost, which is more than a shame. To this day I hold that Zandvoort was the best circuit for racing I ever saw.
Nor was it conceived by computer. During the occupation of Holland German gun emplacements in the sand dunes were linked by a series of service roads, and after the war these formed the basis of part of a new race circuit, designed by John Hugenholtz, later responsible for Jarama and Suzuka.
AndreasF1

[DEVO]

Originally posted by Enkei
They should both stay imo. Both tracks are very good, but Sepang offers more overtaking possibilities, so I voted Sepang.

I agree.

[mp4]

Originally posted by jdanton
Suzuka--there is no comparison. Suzuka vs. Spa now there's a challenge...

You stole what I was going to say! Sheesh...

After Spa, I think Suzuka is the hardest track to master. That's just my opinion and, as we all know, it doesn't really mean much. :

That said, if a driver can master both, well, they are very accomplished indeed.

[MichaelJP]

Originally posted by AndreasF1
scheivlak wrote Hugenholtz was the Zandvoort circuit director - but not its designer! The design was made by 'Bentley boy' Sammy Davis, in close cooperation with some Dutch enthousiasts.
________________
Not according to Nigel Roebuck on Autosport.com
"So the race was lost, which is more than a shame. To this day I hold that Zandvoort was the best circuit for racing I ever saw.
Nor was it conceived by computer. During the occupation of Holland German gun emplacements in the sand dunes were linked by a series of service roads, and after the war these formed the basis of part of a new race circuit, designed by John Hugenholtz, later responsible for Jarama and Suzuka.
AndreasF1

Absolutely. All the best circuits have their layout dictated by the terrain over which they are laid out. This rule means that circuits on flat land will by necessity be artificial and lack challenge.

The best examples of this:-

"Natural" circuits:
Nurburgring Nordschleife, Spa Francorchamps, Zandvoort, Suzuka, Brands Hatch, Laguna Seca, Bathurst, etc. etc.

"Artificial" circuits:
Hungaroring, Magny Cours, Sepang, New Hockenheim, Indianopolis (infield)

- MichaelJP

[gerry nassar]

Maybe we should say Suzuka is a great circuit if you are driving on it while as a specator Sepang allows for better racing.