2005 Japanese Grand Prix: F1 Race, Qualifying & Winners

Kimi Räikkönen produced one of his finest victories at Suzuka, charging from seventeenth and passing Giancarlo Fisichella on the final lap. Newly crowned champion Fernando Alonso completed the podium after his own spectacular recovery through the field.

Result	Driver / Time	Team
Pole position	Ralf Schumacher	Toyota
Pole time	1:46.106
Fastest lap	Kimi Räikkönen	McLaren
Fastest-lap time	1:31.540 on lap 44
First	Kimi Räikkönen	McLaren
Second	Giancarlo Fisichella	Renault
Third	Fernando Alonso	Renault

Weekend Schedule

Date	Session	Local Time
7 October 2005	Practice 1	11:00
7 October 2005	Practice 2	14:00
8 October 2005	Practice 3	09:00
8 October 2005	Practice 4	10:15
8 October 2005	Qualifying	13:00
9 October 2005	Race	14:00

All times are local. The race time is the scheduled start; weather delays and interruptions are described below.

Championship background

Fernando Alonso arrived at round 18 leading the 2005 F1 World Championship on 117 points, with Kimi Räikkönen on 94. McLaren headed the constructors’ standings after the preceding race with 164 points.

Race entries

Antonio Pizzonia was confirmed at Williams for the final two races in place of Nick Heidfeld. Toyota introduced the TF105B for its race drivers, with Ricardo Zonta retaining the earlier car for Friday tyre work. Yamamoto made a home appearance in Jordan’s extra car, alongside the established third drivers at McLaren and Red Bull.

Free Practice

De la Pedro de la Rosa led Friday morning, but Kimi Räikkönen’s engine trouble again interrupted McLaren’s race preparation and led to a grid penalty. Ricardo Zonta also stopped with an electronic problem. Toyota’s race drivers put mileage on the new TF105B, assessing its revised front suspension and aerodynamics; Ralf Schumacher was more comfortable with the initial balance than Jarno Trulli.

Rain interrupted the afternoon, leaving Ricardo Zonta fastest from Michael Schumacher. Toyota had hurried through its tyre comparison before the weather changed, using the older car’s data to support the new chassis. The conditions limited the value of the final order, while Jarno Trulli still had work to do to understand the TF105B’s different feel.

Saturday’s first session was wet and running was limited, with Michael Schumacher fastest. Toyota completed only brief outings without timed laps, leaving the team short of experience with the new car in rain. The lack of a full programme was especially awkward for Jarno Trulli, who had already struggled to find a consistent balance in the dry.

Giancarlo Fisichella narrowly headed Narain Karthikeyan in final practice as the rain continued to distort the order. Toyota completed more wet running, but Jarno Trulli still found the new car difficult and inconsistent. Ralf Schumacher showed stronger pace, giving the team some encouragement before a qualifying session in which the timing of the weather would be crucial.

Free Practice 1 Classification

2005 Japanese Grand Prix FP1, 7 October 2005

Pos.	No.	Driver	Team	Time / Gap	Laps
1	35	Pedro de la Rosa	McLaren	1:30.532	23
2	38	Ricardo Zonta	Toyota	+0.543s	16
3	3	Jenson Button	BAR	+1.511s	18
4	14	David Coulthard	Red Bull Racing	+1.697s	23
5	10	Juan Pablo Montoya	McLaren	+1.789s	9
6	5	Fernando Alonso	Renault	+1.838s	22
7	6	Giancarlo Fisichella	Renault	+1.938s	19
8	4	Takuma Sato	BAR	+2.259s	20
9	7	Mark Webber	Williams	+2.566s	13
10	15	Christian Klien	Red Bull Racing	+2.607s	19
11	12	Felipe Massa	Sauber	+2.725s	16
12	37	Vitantonio Liuzzi	Red Bull Racing	+2.909s	22
13	9	Kimi Räikkönen	McLaren	+2.954s	8
14	8	Antonio Pizzonia	Williams	+2.996s	22
15	11	Jacques Villeneuve	Sauber	+3.113s	15
16	2	Rubens Barrichello	Ferrari	+3.168s	9
17	17	Ralf Schumacher	Toyota	+3.203s	10
18	1	Michael Schumacher	Ferrari	+3.354s	9
19	16	Jarno Trulli	Toyota	+4.003s	11
20	39	Sakon Yamamoto	Jordan	+5.763s	23
21	21	Christijan Albers	Minardi	+6.621s	16
22	19	Narain Karthikeyan	Jordan	+6.622s	13
23	20	Robert Doornbos	Minardi	+7.284s	17
24	18	Tiago Monteiro	Jordan	+7.718s	17

Free Practice 2 Classification

2005 Japanese Grand Prix FP2, 7 October 2005

Pos.	No.	Driver	Team	Time / Gap	Laps
1	38	Ricardo Zonta	Toyota	1:30.682	21
2	1	Michael Schumacher	Ferrari	+1.034s	16
3	35	Pedro de la Rosa	McLaren	+1.139s	28
4	2	Rubens Barrichello	Ferrari	+1.585s	15
5	9	Kimi Räikkönen	McLaren	+2.167s	13
6	17	Ralf Schumacher	Toyota	+2.235s	13
7	16	Jarno Trulli	Toyota	+2.440s	13
8	5	Fernando Alonso	Renault	+2.577s	7
9	3	Jenson Button	BAR	+2.771s	20
10	7	Mark Webber	Williams	+2.838s	14
11	14	David Coulthard	Red Bull Racing	+2.881s	11
12	8	Antonio Pizzonia	Williams	+2.997s	14
13	4	Takuma Sato	BAR	+3.648s	16
14	6	Giancarlo Fisichella	Renault	+3.718s	7
15	12	Felipe Massa	Sauber	+3.739s	17
16	15	Christian Klien	Red Bull Racing	+4.025s	12
17	39	Sakon Yamamoto	Jordan	+4.147s	19
18	11	Jacques Villeneuve	Sauber	+4.192s	18
19	37	Vitantonio Liuzzi	Red Bull Racing	+4.295s	7
20	20	Robert Doornbos	Minardi	+4.468s	8
21	18	Tiago Monteiro	Jordan	+4.706s	12
22	10	Juan Pablo Montoya	McLaren	+6.689s	5
23	21	Christijan Albers	Minardi	+6.944s	7
24	19	Narain Karthikeyan	Jordan	+7.352s	7

Free Practice 3 Classification

2005 Japanese Grand Prix FP3, 8 October 2005

Pos.	No.	Driver	Team	Time / Gap	Laps
1	1	Michael Schumacher	Ferrari	1:46.543	3
2	9	Kimi Räikkönen	McLaren	+2.186s	5
3	10	Juan Pablo Montoya	McLaren	+2.554s	4
4	7	Mark Webber	Williams	+2.941s	3
5	8	Antonio Pizzonia	Williams	+3.994s	5
6	19	Narain Karthikeyan	Jordan	+4.268s	8
7	2	Rubens Barrichello	Ferrari	+4.303s	4
8	3	Jenson Button	BAR	+5.341s	4
9	18	Tiago Monteiro	Jordan	+5.480s	7
10	21	Christijan Albers	Minardi	+6.157s	6
11	14	David Coulthard	Red Bull Racing	+6.803s	10
12	4	Takuma Sato	BAR	+6.911s	5
13	15	Christian Klien	Red Bull Racing	+7.805s	4
14	16	Jarno Trulli	Toyota	No time	3
15	20	Robert Doornbos	Minardi	No time	5
16	17	Ralf Schumacher	Toyota	No time	1
17	12	Felipe Massa	Sauber	No time	1
18	11	Jacques Villeneuve	Sauber	No time	1

Free Practice 4 Classification

2005 Japanese Grand Prix FP4, 8 October 2005

Pos.	No.	Driver	Team	Time / Gap	Laps
1	6	Giancarlo Fisichella	Renault	1:50.136	9
2	19	Narain Karthikeyan	Jordan	+0.014s	6
3	17	Ralf Schumacher	Toyota	+0.233s	8
4	3	Jenson Button	BAR	+0.784s	7
5	21	Christijan Albers	Minardi	+0.858s	8
6	18	Tiago Monteiro	Jordan	+1.087s	6
7	7	Mark Webber	Williams	+1.138s	5
8	16	Jarno Trulli	Toyota	+1.367s	8
9	14	David Coulthard	Red Bull Racing	+1.574s	9
10	20	Robert Doornbos	Minardi	+1.835s	10
11	5	Fernando Alonso	Renault	+2.531s	9
12	15	Christian Klien	Red Bull Racing	+2.761s	4
13	11	Jacques Villeneuve	Sauber	+3.324s	8
14	2	Rubens Barrichello	Ferrari	+3.603s	5
15	12	Felipe Massa	Sauber	+3.706s	8
16	4	Takuma Sato	BAR	+4.171s	8
17	8	Antonio Pizzonia	Williams	+10.939s	4

Qualifying

Ralf Schumacher took pole ahead of Jenson Button as the circuit’s changing conditions rewarded his running slot. Giancarlo Fisichella qualified third, with Christian Klien fourth and Takuma Sato fifth. Jarno Trulli spun and failed to record a time, leaving Toyota with sharply contrasting results.

The rain worsened for the late runners, sending Michael Schumacher, Fernando Alonso and Kimi Räikkönen towards the back. Juan Pablo Montoya also failed to set a time. Kimi Räikkönen ultimately started seventeenth, setting up a race in which several of the quickest cars would have to fight through the field.

Qualifying Classification

2005 Japanese Grand Prix Qualifying, 8 October 2005

Pos.	No.	Driver	Team	Time	Laps
1	17	Ralf Schumacher	Toyota	1:46.106	3
2	3	Jenson Button	BAR	1:46.141	3
3	6	Giancarlo Fisichella	Renault	1:46.276	3
4	15	Christian Klien	Red Bull Racing	1:46.464	3
5	4	Takuma Sato	BAR	1:46.841	3
6	14	David Coulthard	Red Bull Racing	1:46.892	3
7	7	Mark Webber	Williams	1:47.233	3
8	11	Jacques Villeneuve	Sauber	1:47.440	3
9	2	Rubens Barrichello	Ferrari	1:48.248	3
10	12	Felipe Massa	Sauber	1:48.278	3
11	19	Narain Karthikeyan	Jordan	1:48.718	3
12	8	Antonio Pizzonia	Williams	1:48.898	3
13	21	Christijan Albers	Minardi	1:50.843	3
14	1	Michael Schumacher	Ferrari	1:52.676	3
15	20	Robert Doornbos	Minardi	1:52.894	3
16	5	Fernando Alonso	Renault	1:54.667	3
17	9	Kimi Räikkönen	McLaren	2:02.309	3
18	10	Juan Pablo Montoya	McLaren		2
19	16	Jarno Trulli	Toyota		2
20	18	Tiago Monteiro	Jordan		1

Kimi Räikkönen received a 10-place grid penalty for an engine change.

Juan Pablo Montoya did not complete the timed lap.

Jarno Trulli spun on a timed lap in turn nine.

Tiago Monteiro spun out in turn nine on the out lap.

What happened in the 2005 Japanese Grand Prix?

Ralf Schumacher led away, but Juan Pablo Montoya crashed after being squeezed wide by Jacques Villeneuve, bringing out the safety car. Giancarlo Fisichella assumed control as the opening fuel strategies unfolded. Takuma Sato later collided with Jarno Trulli and was subsequently excluded, while Fernando Alonso and Kimi Räikkönen began their recoveries.

Fernando Alonso supplied a breathtaking pass around the outside of Michael Schumacher at 130R, then continued attacking after the stops. Kimi Räikkönen also cleared the Ferrari and used his speed and fuel strategy to close on Giancarlo Fisichella. Fernando Alonso passed Mark Webber late to secure third.

Kimi Räikkönen caught Giancarlo Fisichella and swept around the outside at the first corner on the final lap to take an extraordinary victory. Fernando Alonso finished third ahead of Mark Webber and Jenson Button, followed by David Coulthard, Michael Schumacher and Ralf Schumacher. Renault regained the constructors’ lead despite losing the win at the last moment.

After the race, Fernando Alonso headed the drivers’ standings with 123 points, followed by Kimi Räikkönen on 104. Renault led the constructors’ table on 176, with McLaren on 174.

2005 Japanese Grand Prix race results

The 2005 Japanese Grand Prix was held on 9 October 2005, with a scheduled start of 14:00 local time.

Pos.	No.	Driver	Team	Laps	Time / Retired	Pts.
1	9	Kimi Räikkönen	McLaren	53	1:29:02.212	10
2	6	Giancarlo Fisichella	Renault	53	+1.633	8
3	5	Fernando Alonso	Renault	53	+17.456	6
4	7	Mark Webber	Williams	53	+22.274	5
5	3	Jenson Button	BAR	53	+29.507	4
6	14	David Coulthard	Red Bull Racing	53	+31.601	3
7	1	Michael Schumacher	Ferrari	53	+33.879	2
8	17	Ralf Schumacher	Toyota	53	+49.548	1
9	15	Christian Klien	Red Bull Racing	53	+51.925	0
10	12	Felipe Massa	Sauber	53	+57.509	0
11	2	Rubens Barrichello	Ferrari	53	+1:00.633	0
12	11	Jacques Villeneuve	Sauber	53	+1:23.221	0
13	18	Tiago Monteiro	Jordan	52	+1 Lap	0
14	20	Robert Doornbos	Minardi	51	+2 Laps	0
15	19	Narain Karthikeyan	Jordan	51	+2 Laps	0
16	21	Christijan Albers	Minardi	49	+4 Laps	0
Ret	8	Antônio Pizzonia	Williams	9	Spun off	0
Ret	16	Jarno Trulli	Toyota	9	Collision damage	0
Ret	10	Juan Pablo Montoya	McLaren	0	Accident	0
DSQ	4	Takuma Sato	BAR	52	Caused collision with Trulli	0

Jarno Trulli started from the pit lane.

Jacques Villeneuve was handed a 25-second time penalty for his collision with Juan Pablo Montoya.

Takuma Sato finished thirteenth but was disqualified from the final classification for his collision with Jarno Trulli.

2005 Japanese Grand Prix Fastest Laps

Pos.	No.	Driver	Team	Lap	Time	Avg. Speed
1	9	Kimi Räikkönen	McLaren	44	1:31.540	228.372
2	5	Fernando Alonso	Renault	21	1:31.599	228.225
3	6	Giancarlo Fisichella	Renault	19	1:32.522	225.948
4	3	Jenson Button	BAR	19	1:32.754	225.383
5	1	Michael Schumacher	Ferrari	25	1:32.763	225.361
6	17	Ralf Schumacher	Toyota	9	1:32.795	225.283
7	7	Mark Webber	Williams	21	1:33.022	224.733
8	14	David Coulthard	Red Bull Racing	18	1:33.023	224.731
9	2	Rubens Barrichello	Ferrari	52	1:33.133	224.466
10	12	Felipe Massa	Sauber	43	1:33.232	224.227
11	11	Jacques Villeneuve	Sauber	50	1:33.288	224.093
12	15	Christian Klien	Red Bull Racing	49	1:33.499	223.587
13	4	Takuma Sato	BAR	28	1:34.186	221.956
14	18	Tiago Monteiro	Jordan	17	1:35.458	218.998
15	19	Narain Karthikeyan	Jordan	11	1:35.887	218.019
16	21	Christijan Albers	Minardi	33	1:36.039	217.674
17	20	Robert Doornbos	Minardi	50	1:36.574	216.468
18	8	Antonio Pizzonia	Williams	9	1:36.711	216.161
19	16	Jarno Trulli	Toyota	9	1:37.428	214.570

Only drivers with a recorded lap time appear. Average speeds are in km/h. No fastest-lap bonus point was awarded.

2005 Post-Race F1 Championship Standings

Championship standings after the 2005 Japanese Grand Prix.

2005 Post-Race F1 Drivers' Championship Standings

POS	Driver	Nationality	Car	PTS
1	Fernando Alonso	Spanish	Renault	123
2	Kimi Räikkönen	Finnish	McLaren	104
3	Michael Schumacher	German	Ferrari	62
4	Juan Pablo Montoya	Colombian	McLaren	60
5	Giancarlo Fisichella	Italian	Renault	53
6	Jarno Trulli	Italian	Toyota	43
7	Ralf Schumacher	German	Toyota	39
8	Rubens Barrichello	Brazilian	Ferrari	38
9	Jenson Button	British	BAR	36
10	Mark Webber	Australian	Williams	34
11	Nick Heidfeld	German	Williams	28
12	David Coulthard	British	Red Bull Racing	24
13	Jacques Villeneuve	Canadian	Sauber	9
14	Felipe Massa	Brazilian	Sauber	8
15	Tiago Monteiro	Portuguese	Jordan	7
16	Alexander Wurz	Austrian	McLaren	6
17	Narain Karthikeyan	Indian	Jordan	5
18	Christian Klien	Austrian	Red Bull Racing	5
19	Christijan Albers	Dutch	Minardi	4
20	Pedro de la Rosa	Spanish	McLaren	4
21	Patrick Friesacher	Austrian	Minardi	3
22	Antônio Pizzonia	Brazilian	Williams	2
23	Takuma Sato	Japanese	BAR	1
24	Vitantonio Liuzzi	Italian	Red Bull Racing	1
25	Robert Doornbos	Dutch	Minardi	0
–	Ricardo Zonta	Brazilian	Toyota	0
–	Anthony Davidson	British	BAR	0

2005 Post-Race F1 Constructors' Championship Standings

POS	Car	PTS
1	Renault	176
2	McLaren	174
3	Ferrari	100
4	Toyota	82
5	Williams	64
6	BAR	37
7	Red Bull Racing	30
8	Sauber	17
9	Jordan	12
10	Minardi	7

2005 Formula 1 Race Calendar

Round	Grand Prix	Circuit	Date
1	2005 Australian Grand Prix	Albert Park Circuit, Melbourne	6 March
2	2005 Malaysian Grand Prix	Sepang International Circuit, Sepang	20 March
3	2005 Bahrain Grand Prix	Bahrain International Circuit, Sakhir	3 April
4	2005 San Marino Grand Prix	Autodromo Internazionale Enzo e Dino Ferrari, Imola	24 April
5	2005 Spanish Grand Prix	Circuit de Catalunya, Montmeló	8 May
6	2005 Monaco Grand Prix	Circuit de Monaco, Monte Carlo	22 May
7	2005 European Grand Prix	Nürburgring, Nürburg	29 May
8	2005 Canadian Grand Prix	Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve, Montréal	12 June
9	2005 United States Grand Prix	Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Indianapolis	19 June
10	2005 French Grand Prix	Circuit de Nevers Magny-Cours, Magny-Cours	3 July
11	2005 British Grand Prix	Silverstone Circuit, Silverstone	10 July
12	2005 German Grand Prix	Hockenheimring, Hockenheim	24 July
13	2005 Hungarian Grand Prix	Hungaroring, Mogyoród	31 July
14	2005 Turkish Grand Prix	Istanbul Park, Istanbul	21 August
15	2005 Italian Grand Prix	Autodromo Nazionale di Monza, Monza	4 September
16	2005 Belgian Grand Prix	Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps, Stavelot	11 September
17	2005 Brazilian Grand Prix	Autódromo José Carlos Pace, São Paulo	25 September
18	2005 Japanese Grand Prix	Suzuka International Racing Course, Suzuka	9 October
19	2005 Chinese Grand Prix	Shanghai International Circuit, Shanghai	16 October