After the first two rounds of the season in Melbourne and Shanghai, Formula 1 stays in Asia for one of the most atmospheric events on the calendar, the Japanese Grand Prix at Suzuka Circuit.

For all the teams, the third round of the championship is a particularly significant one, because the new 2026 cars will have to perform on a track that, more than many others, tests the all-round abilities of the car-power unit package, while also rewarding driver confidence. Adding to data gathered from the first two races, the Japanese weekend will provide very important reference points to help understand the behaviour of these cars that are profoundly different from their predecessors, at a point in the season when every session accelerates the learning process. After this weekend, Scuderia Ferrari HP and the other teams, will be working flat out for a month back at base following the cancellation of the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grands Prix.

Suzuka is one of the most technical and demanding circuits on the Formula 1 calendar: at 5.807 kilometres in length and with its unique figure-of-eight layout, it combines high-speed corners, rapid changes of direction and sections where rhythm, precision and balance make the difference. From the Esses in the first sector to the Degner corners, and on to Spoon and 130R, the Japanese track requires a car that is stable, precise in load transfer, while capable of giving the driver confidence through the fastest parts of the lap. Therefore, with the 2026 regulations having substantially changed both the aerodynamics and the balance between the thermal and electrical elements of the power unit, Suzuka is even more significant as a test bed, as it requires efficiency, drivability and energy management to come together over one of the most demanding laps of the entire season.

The Japanese Grand Prix has a special place in Formula 1 history. The 2026 edition will be the 40th time it has counted towards the World Championship and the 36th to be held at Suzuka, which since it first appeared on the calendar in 1987 has become synonymous with major technical challenges, memorable duels and title-deciding moments. What makes this event unique is the atmosphere around the track, because the Japanese spectators are among the most passionate, knowledgeable and creative in the world, many of them fans of Scuderia Ferrari HP, always giving the team a warm and enthusiastic welcome.

Fred Vasseur: We made another step forward in China, confirming some of the positives we saw in Melbourne, especially in race conditions. However, it is also clear that there are areas where we need to improve. The level of competition is very high and small differences can have a big impact on the result.

Suzuka is a very demanding circuit, so it's a great opportunity to better understand the SF-26 and make progress. We need to stay focused on ourselves, continue to work on the full package and make sure we put everything together over the weekend.

After this race, we will also have a month back at the factory, which will be important to analyse all the data from the first three races and continue developing the package in the right direction.

Ferrari at the Japanese GP

39 GP Entered
1976 Debut (R. Barrichello 1st; M. Schumacher 12th)
7 (17.95%) Wins
10 (25.64%) Pole positions
7 (17.95%) Fastest laps
25 (21.37%) Podiums

Three questions to Marco Gasparet, Sporting Specialist.

What impact will the characteristics of the Suzuka track have on this new generation of cars?
Marco Gasparet: Suzuka is without a doubt one of the most fascinating and technically demanding tracks on the calendar. What sets it apart is the combination of slow corners, such as the famous hairpin, and its high-speed sections, including the legendary 130R. Then there is the complex sequence of corners from 3 to 6, which requires precision and balance. Prior to this event, the track has been resurfaced between turns 7 and 17, thus completing the work begun last year, when the rest of the circuit was renewed. The track is also the first of six this year at which there will be only two Straight Mode activation zones, the others being Barcelona, Zandvoort, Madrid, Baku and Interlagos. In terms of energy management, Suzuka is a tough challenge for all the teams with the need to find the right compromise to maximise performance and efficiency with this new generation of cars.

How does the team's work programme change now that two races have been cancelled?
MG: The forced change to the calendar has inevitably led to all teams having to modify their planning. However, work in Formula 1 never stops and the month of April is now a great opportunity to move forward on the work done so far.

During this period, the focus will turn to in-depth analysis of the data from the first three races and to simulation work, which is a key tool when it comes to preparing for the coming races along with our drivers. In parallel, work will go on as always in carrying out pit stop practice, a key element to keep up and improve on an area that has gone very well so far.

What about you? What does it mean to work for Scuderia Ferrari HP and how did you come to work for the team?
MG: I started out with Ferrari working on the Ferrari Challenge, where I was Sporting Manager for the European Series and coordinator of the one in the UK. Then, in 2024 I joined Scuderia Ferrari HP. Growing up in Motor Valley definitely impacted my career choice, as motor racing isn't just a sport here, it's a culture. Since I was little I lived and breathed cars and listened to tales of racing and the factories. I learned to appreciate every form of competition, from local events to major international championships. It's an environment full of passion, discipline and deep respect for this world. And of course, for an Italian, Ferrari is something special. It's not just a team, it's a symbol of national pride, the epitome of excellence that has captured the imagination of millions for many decades. Joining a team with this unrivalled legacy is a huge honour. There is a special atmosphere within the Scuderia, it's like a family, where tradition and innovation come together and everyone works towards a common goal. I find it very stimulating being part of this team. Passion for motorsport, specifically the Prancing Horse, is vital to give of your best every day. Knowing that I contribute, even in a small way, to the history of such an iconic team is a source of continuous motivation.

Facts & Figures

3. Matsusaka beef is considered the third best of those produced in Japan. Rated higher are Kobe and Ohmi. Originating from Mie Prefecture, where Suzuka is located, Matsusaka is famous for its extremely fine marbling and tender texture, the result of the cattle being more or less hand reared. The average rearing period for these animals is about 900 days, significantly longer than standard practice.

20. The number of years between each reconstruction of the Ise Shrine: one of the most sacred places in Japan, which is dismantled and rebuilt identically according to a millennia-old ritual, symbolising continuous renewal and the pursuit of perfection. This tradition has been continued without interruption for at least 1,300 years, making it one of the oldest in the world.

1000. The average number of earthquakes recorded each year in Japan (about 10% of all those that occur worldwide). The country has always lived with this reality, developing over time some of the most advanced earthquake-resistant technologies in the world, along with a deeply rooted culture of preparedness and resilience.

1893. The year in which Kokichi Mikimoto produced the first cultured pearl in the Mie Prefecture: it was grown in Ago Bay and revolutionised the luxury pearl sector, making a product that had previously been extremely rare more accessible. Even today, the time required to form a single high-quality cultured pearl inside an oyster is about two years.

2000. The years of tradition of the Ama, the free-diving fisherwomen of Mie Prefecture: to this day they dive without air tanks to gather pearls and seafood, keeping alive an ancient practice based on technique, endurance, and knowledge of the sea. The typical depth of these dives, performed while holding their breath for about a minute, is around ten metres.