The Japanese Grand Prix has been the venue for some of the most incredible moments in Formula One history. Here are 7 stand-out moments from the archives.
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Damon Hill claims the WDC – 1996
Hill defied his young team-mate Villeneuve, who started from pole at the final race in Japan. The young Canadian unfortunately retired and a storming drive from Hill secured the title.
Senna v Prost – 1989
The McLaren team-mates had endured a season-long rivalry and the Japanese Grand Prix proved to be boiling point. Going into the weekend, Senna was in with a fools chance of claiming the championship. He was 16-points shy of Prost's tally and nothing short of a win would be required to remain in contention for the final race in Australia. Come race day, the McLaren's locked out the front-row with the Brazilian on pole. Both drivers were ina league of their own, getting away rapidly and battling between one another. on lap 47, going through the tricky 130R corner, the Brazilian attempted an ambitious move into the Casio chicane. Prost decided to be true to words he had said to Senna and McLaren boss Ron Dennis before the race - he would not leave the door open as he had before and give up the position simply for McLaren to be embarrassed by a double retirement. And Prost did exactly that. The two cars were interlocked and both slid off the track and up the chicane's escape road, the Honda V10 engines in both cars stalling. Prost became the 1989 World Champion.
James Hunt clinches title – 1976
Qualifying set up a mouthwatering race at the Fuji Circuit with Mario Andretti’s Lotus on pole followed by James Hunt’s McLaren in second and Lauda’s Ferrari in third. For race-day the rain was torrential as the cars lined up on the grid. James Hunt got a great start and overtook Mario Andretti for the race lead. After a few laps, visibility was so poor due to the rain that Niki Lauda retired. It was then up to Hunt to score the points he needed. By the mid-point of the race, Hunt led from his team-mate Jochen Mass with the German providing a protective buffer. This worked well until Mass spun out with a suspected puncture. Tyre wear was an issue on the wet circuit, and Hunt found himself having to pit only 11 laps remaining. He stormed through the field against all odds to claim third place and the Drivers title of 1976.
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