Fernando Alonso seized a crucial Japanese Grand Prix victory after Michael Schumacher’s Ferrari suffered an engine failure while leading. Felipe Massa finished second and Giancarlo Fisichella third at Suzuka, leaving Fernando Alonso needing only one point from the finale to retain his title.
Race Guide
Season: 2006 F1 World Championship
Race date: 8 October 2006
Race start time: 14:00 local time (UTC+09:00)
Circuit: Suzuka International Racing Course
Laps: 53 laps
Circuit length: 5.807 km
2005 winner: Kimi Räikkönen
| Result | Driver / Time | Team |
|---|---|---|
| Pole position | Felipe Massa | Ferrari |
| Pole time | 1:29.599 | |
| Fastest lap | Fernando Alonso | Renault |
| Fastest-lap time | 1:32.676 on lap 14 | |
| First | Fernando Alonso | Renault |
| Second | Felipe Massa | Ferrari |
| Third | Giancarlo Fisichella | Renault |
Weekend Schedule
| Date | Session | Local Time |
|---|---|---|
| 6 October 2006 | Practice 1 | 11:00 |
| 6 October 2006 | Practice 2 | 14:00 |
| 7 October 2006 | Practice 3 | 11:00 |
| 7 October 2006 | Qualifying | 14:00 |
| 8 October 2006 | Race | 14:00 |
All times are local. The race time is the scheduled start; weather delays and interruptions are described below.
Championship background
Michael Schumacher arrived at round 17 leading the 2006 F1 World Championship on 116 points, with Fernando Alonso on 116. Renault headed the constructors’ standings after the preceding race with 179 points.
Race entries
The 11 teams kept the same race line-ups for the Japanese Grand Prix. Adrian Sutil, Alexander Wurz, Anthony Davidson, Franck Montagny, Michael Ammermuller, Neel Jani, Sebastian Vettel also took part in practice.
Free Practice
Rain kept Friday morning quiet, with only a small number of regular race drivers doing more than installation work. Davidson led Honda’s third-car programme, while the other test drivers supplied much of the mileage. Franck Montagny ended his session in the gravel, and the leading championship contenders had little reason to risk their cars in the wet conditions.
The track began to dry during the afternoon, allowing more useful preparation. Giancarlo Fisichella narrowly beat Felipe Massa, with Michael Schumacher and Fernando Alonso close behind. Sutil suffered an engine problem in Spyker MF1’s third car. The improving weather offered hope of a dry Saturday, but tyre performance remained central to judging the leading teams’ relative pace.
Sunshine returned for Saturday practice, although a strong wind continued across the circuit. Michael Schumacher set a time well clear of Ralf Schumacher and Jenson Button, giving Ferrari an emphatic final benchmark. The session passed without a major accident, allowing teams to complete dry-weather work that Friday morning had denied them.
Free Practice 1 Classification
2006 Japanese Grand Prix FP1, 6 October 2006
Free Practice 2 Classification
2006 Japanese Grand Prix FP2, 6 October 2006
Free Practice 3 Classification
2006 Japanese Grand Prix FP3, 7 October 2006
| Pos. | No. | Driver | Team | Time / Gap | Laps |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 5 | Michael Schumacher | Ferrari | 1:30.653 | 13 |
| 2 | 7 | Ralf Schumacher | Toyota | +1.210s | 15 |
| 3 | 12 | Jenson Button | Honda | +1.657s | 12 |
| 4 | 2 | Giancarlo Fisichella | Renault | +1.874s | 13 |
| 5 | 1 | Fernando Alonso | Renault | +1.902s | 14 |
| 6 | 16 | Nick Heidfeld | BMW Sauber | +1.937s | 15 |
| 7 | 10 | Nico Rosberg | Williams | +2.077s | 18 |
| 8 | 3 | Kimi Räikkönen | McLaren | +2.077s | 12 |
| 9 | 17 | Robert Kubica | BMW Sauber | +2.134s | 17 |
| 10 | 6 | Felipe Massa | Ferrari | +2.137s | 15 |
| 11 | 20 | Vitantonio Liuzzi | Toro Rosso | +2.324s | 20 |
| 12 | 4 | Pedro de la Rosa | McLaren | +2.510s | 12 |
| 13 | 21 | Scott Speed | Toro Rosso | +2.560s | 20 |
| 14 | 19 | Christijan Albers | Midland | +2.617s | 23 |
| 15 | 9 | Mark Webber | Williams | +2.686s | 17 |
| 16 | 14 | David Coulthard | Red Bull Racing | +2.798s | 16 |
| 17 | 15 | Robert Doornbos | Red Bull Racing | +3.010s | 12 |
| 18 | 11 | Rubens Barrichello | Honda | +3.095s | 16 |
| 19 | 18 | Tiago Monteiro | Midland | +3.171s | 19 |
| 20 | 8 | Jarno Trulli | Toyota | +3.465s | 15 |
| 21 | 23 | Sakon Yamamoto | Super Aguri | +3.993s | 10 |
| 22 | 22 | Takuma Sato | Super Aguri | +4.074s | 20 |
Qualifying
Felipe Massa claimed pole ahead of Michael Schumacher, completing another Ferrari front row. Ralf Schumacher and Jarno Trulli filled the second row for Toyota, leaving Fernando Alonso fifth and Giancarlo Fisichella sixth. Ferrari’s speed and the two Toyotas between the title contenders made the opening laps particularly important for Renault.
Jenson Button qualified seventh, followed by Rubens Barrichello, Nick Heidfeld and Nico Rosberg. Both McLarens missed Q3, a disappointing result after their recent pole positions. Fernando Alonso faced the task of clearing the Toyotas quickly enough to keep Michael Schumacher within reach.
Qualifying Classification
2006 Japanese Grand Prix Qualifying, 7 October 2006
| Pos. | No. | Driver | Team | Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Laps |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 6 | Felipe Massa | Ferrari | 1:30.112 | 1:29.830 | 1:29.599 | 16 |
| 2 | 5 | Michael Schumacher | Ferrari | 1:31.279 | 1:28.954 | 1:29.711 | 17 |
| 3 | 7 | Ralf Schumacher | Toyota | 1:30.595 | 1:30.299 | 1:29.989 | 19 |
| 4 | 8 | Jarno Trulli | Toyota | 1:30.420 | 1:30.204 | 1:30.039 | 19 |
| 5 | 1 | Fernando Alonso | Renault | 1:30.976 | 1:30.357 | 1:30.371 | 16 |
| 6 | 2 | Giancarlo Fisichella | Renault | 1:31.696 | 1:30.306 | 1:30.599 | 17 |
| 7 | 12 | Jenson Button | Honda | 1:30.847 | 1:30.268 | 1:30.992 | 22 |
| 8 | 11 | Rubens Barrichello | Honda | 1:31.972 | 1:30.598 | 1:31.478 | 21 |
| 9 | 16 | Nick Heidfeld | BMW Sauber | 1:31.811 | 1:30.470 | 1:31.513 | 18 |
| 10 | 10 | Nico Rosberg | Williams | 1:30.585 | 1:30.321 | 1:31.856 | 22 |
| 11 | 3 | Kimi Räikkönen | McLaren | 1:32.080 | 1:30.827 | — | 9 |
| 12 | 17 | Robert Kubica | BMW Sauber | 1:31.204 | 1:31.094 | — | 8 |
| 13 | 4 | Pedro de la Rosa | McLaren | 1:31.581 | 1:31.254 | — | 12 |
| 14 | 9 | Mark Webber | Williams | 1:31.647 | 1:31.276 | — | 11 |
| 15 | 20 | Vitantonio Liuzzi | Toro Rosso | 1:31.741 | 1:31.943 | — | 14 |
| 16 | 19 | Christijan Albers | Spyker MF1 | 1:32.221 | 1:33.750 | — | 13 |
| 17 | 14 | David Coulthard | Red Bull Racing | 1:32.252 | — | — | 6 |
| 18 | 15 | Robert Doornbos | Red Bull Racing | 1:32.402 | — | — | 7 |
| 19 | 21 | Scott Speed | Toro Rosso | 1:32.867 | — | — | 7 |
| 20 | 22 | Takuma Sato | Super Aguri | 1:33.666 | — | — | 6 |
| 21 | 18 | Tiago Monteiro | Spyker MF1 | 1:33.709 | — | — | 3 |
| 22 | 23 | Sakon Yamamoto | Super Aguri | No time | — | — | 2 |
Sakon Yamamoto did not get time in Q1 due to technical problems.
What happened in the 2006 Japanese Grand Prix?
Felipe Massa led away before Michael Schumacher moved ahead on the third lap. Fernando Alonso worked past the Toyotas and then gained second from Felipe Massa through the pit stops, setting up a direct contest between the championship rivals. Schumacher retained a small but significant advantage as they negotiated traffic.
After the final stops, Schumacher’s engine failed and he pulled out of the race. Fernando Alonso inherited a clear lead, turning a close championship contest into a major opportunity for Renault. Felipe Massa continued in second, with Giancarlo Fisichella completing a strong team result behind Fernando Alonso.
Fernando Alonso won from Felipe Massa and Giancarlo Fisichella, followed by Jenson Button, Kimi Räikkönen, Jarno Trulli, Ralf Schumacher and Nick Heidfeld. The victory gave Fernando Alonso a ten-point lead with one race left: a single point in Brazil would secure the championship regardless of Schumacher’s result.
After the race, Fernando Alonso headed the drivers’ standings with 126 points, followed by Michael Schumacher on 116. Renault led the constructors’ table on 195, with Ferrari on 186.
2006 Japanese Grand Prix race results
The 2006 Japanese Grand Prix was held on 8 October 2006, with a scheduled start of 14:00 local time.
| Pos. | No. | Driver | Team | Laps | Time / Retired | Pts. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | Fernando Alonso | Renault | 53 | 1:23:53.413 | 10 |
| 2 | 6 | Felipe Massa | Ferrari | 53 | +16.151 | 8 |
| 3 | 2 | Giancarlo Fisichella | Renault | 53 | +23.953 | 6 |
| 4 | 12 | Jenson Button | Honda | 53 | +34.101 | 5 |
| 5 | 3 | Kimi Räikkönen | McLaren | 53 | +43.596 | 4 |
| 6 | 8 | Jarno Trulli | Toyota | 53 | +46.717 | 3 |
| 7 | 7 | Ralf Schumacher | Toyota | 53 | +48.869 | 2 |
| 8 | 16 | Nick Heidfeld | BMW Sauber | 53 | +1:16.095 | 1 |
| 9 | 17 | Robert Kubica | BMW Sauber | 53 | +1:16.932 | 0 |
| 10 | 10 | Nico Rosberg | Williams | 52 | +1 lap | 0 |
| 11 | 4 | Pedro de la Rosa | McLaren | 52 | +1 lap | 0 |
| 12 | 11 | Rubens Barrichello | Honda | 52 | +1 lap | 0 |
| 13 | 15 | Robert Doornbos | Red Bull Racing | 52 | +1 lap | 0 |
| 14 | 20 | Vitantonio Liuzzi | Toro Rosso | 52 | +1 lap | 0 |
| 15 | 22 | Takuma Sato | Super Aguri | 52 | +1 lap | 0 |
| 16 | 18 | Tiago Monteiro | Spyker MF1 | 51 | +2 laps | 0 |
| 17 | 23 | Sakon Yamamoto | Super Aguri | 50 | +3 laps | 0 |
| 18 | 21 | Scott Speed | Toro Rosso | 48 | Power steering | 0 |
| Ret | 9 | Mark Webber | Williams | 39 | Accident | 0 |
| Ret | 5 | Michael Schumacher | Ferrari | 36 | Engine | 0 |
| Ret | 14 | David Coulthard | Red Bull Racing | 35 | Gearbox | 0 |
| Ret | 19 | Christijan Albers | Spyker MF1 | 20 | Driveshaft | 0 |
2006 Japanese Grand Prix Fastest Laps
Only drivers with a recorded lap time appear. Average speeds are in km/h. No fastest-lap bonus point was awarded.
2006 Post-Race F1 Championship Standings
Championship standings after the 2006 Japanese Grand Prix.
2006 Post-Race F1 Drivers' Championship Standings
| POS | Driver | Nationality | Car | PTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fernando Alonso | Spanish | Renault | 126 |
| 2 | Michael Schumacher | German | Ferrari | 116 |
| 3 | Felipe Massa | Brazilian | Ferrari | 70 |
| 4 | Giancarlo Fisichella | Italian | Renault | 69 |
| 5 | Kimi Räikkönen | Finnish | McLaren | 61 |
| 6 | Jenson Button | British | Honda | 50 |
| 7 | Rubens Barrichello | Brazilian | Honda | 28 |
| 8 | Juan Pablo Montoya | Colombian | McLaren | 26 |
| 9 | Nick Heidfeld | German | BMW Sauber | 23 |
| 10 | Ralf Schumacher | German | Toyota | 20 |
| 11 | Pedro de la Rosa | Spanish | McLaren | 18 |
| 12 | Jarno Trulli | Italian | Toyota | 15 |
| 13 | David Coulthard | British | Red Bull Racing | 14 |
| 14 | Mark Webber | Australian | Williams | 7 |
| 15 | Jacques Villeneuve | Canadian | BMW Sauber | 7 |
| 16 | Robert Kubica | Polish | BMW Sauber | 6 |
| 17 | Nico Rosberg | German | Williams | 4 |
| 18 | Christian Klien | Austrian | Red Bull Racing | 2 |
| 19 | Vitantonio Liuzzi | Italian | Toro Rosso | 1 |
| 20 | Scott Speed | American | Toro Rosso | 0 |
| 21 | Tiago Monteiro | Portuguese | Midland / Spyker MF1 | 0 |
| 22 | Christijan Albers | Dutch | Midland / Spyker MF1 | 0 |
| 23 | Takuma Sato | Japanese | Super Aguri | 0 |
| 24 | Robert Doornbos | Dutch | Red Bull Racing | 0 |
| 25 | Yuji Ide | Japanese | Super Aguri | 0 |
| 26 | Franck Montagny | French | Super Aguri | 0 |
| 27 | Sakon Yamamoto | Japanese | Super Aguri | 0 |
2006 Post-Race F1 Constructors' Championship Standings
| POS | Car | PTS |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Renault | 195 |
| 2 | Ferrari | 186 |
| 3 | McLaren | 105 |
| 4 | Honda | 78 |
| 5 | BMW Sauber | 36 |
| 6 | Toyota | 35 |
| 7 | Red Bull Racing | 16 |
| 8 | Williams | 11 |
| 9 | Toro Rosso | 1 |
| 10 | Midland | 0 |
| 11 | Super Aguri | 0 |
| 12 | Spyker MF1 | 0 |
2006 Formula 1 Race Calendar
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