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2015Japan

Paddock Postcard from Suzuka

As always, the Japanese nation’s love for all things Formula One racing meant that the Suzuka paddock was a visual and aural feast for every level of motorsport enthusiast, from the casual to the hardcore - and the highlight for many was the demonstrations of old F1 cars, complete with authentic ‘period’ drivers.

Gerhard Berger handled a McLaren-Honda MP4/6 and loved the reunion, as did Satoru Nakajima when he slipped into a Cosworth DFZ-powered Tyrrell 019. Takuma Sato got behind the wheel of a Williams-Honda FW11B, although technical problems sadly limited his running.

Satoru Nakajima (JPN) demonstrates the Tyrrell 019 at Formula One World Championship, Rd14,
Satoru Nakajima (JPN) demonstrates the Tyrrell 019 at Formula One World Championship, Rd14, Japanese Grand Prix, Qualifying, Suzuka, Japan, Saturday 26 September 2015. © Sutton Motorsport Images
Gerhard Berger (AUT) demonstrates the McLaren MP4/6 at Formula One World Championship, Rd14,
Gerhard Berger (AUT) demonstrates the McLaren MP4/6 at Formula One World Championship, Rd14, Japanese Grand Prix, Qualifying, Suzuka, Japan, Saturday 26 September 2015. © Sutton Motorsport Images
Gerhard Berger (AUT) demonstrates the McLaren MP4/6 at Formula One World Championship, Rd14,
Gerhard Berger (AUT) demonstrates the McLaren MP4/6 at Formula One World Championship, Rd14, Japanese Grand Prix, Qualifying, Suzuka, Japan, Saturday 26 September 2015. © Sutton Motorsport Images
Takuma Sato (JPN) demonstrates the Williams FW11 at Formula One World Championship, Rd14, Japanese
Takuma Sato (JPN) demonstrates the Williams FW11 at Formula One World Championship, Rd14, Japanese Grand Prix, Qualifying, Suzuka, Japan, Saturday 26 September 2015. © Sutton Motorsport Images
Lotus 88 at Formula One World Championship, Rd14, Japanese Grand Prix, Qualifying, Suzuka, Japan,
Lotus 88 at Formula One World Championship, Rd14, Japanese Grand Prix, Qualifying, Suzuka, Japan, Saturday 26 September 2015. © Sutton Motorsport Images
McLaren MP4/6 at Formula One World Championship, Rd14, Japanese Grand Prix, Qualifying, Suzuka,
McLaren MP4/6 at Formula One World Championship, Rd14, Japanese Grand Prix, Qualifying, Suzuka, Japan, Saturday 26 September 2015. © Sutton Motorsport Images
Williams FW11 Honda V6 Turbo engine at Formula One World Championship, Rd14, Japanese Grand Prix,
Williams FW11 Honda V6 Turbo engine at Formula One World Championship, Rd14, Japanese Grand Prix, Qualifying, Suzuka, Japan, Saturday 26 September 2015. © Sutton Motorsport Images
Historic F1 car display at Formula One World Championship, Rd14, Japanese Grand Prix, Qualifying,
Historic F1 car display at Formula One World Championship, Rd14, Japanese Grand Prix, Qualifying, Suzuka, Japan, Saturday 26 September 2015. © Sutton Motorsport Images

Aguri Suzuki, who finished third here in a Larrousse LC-90 in the 1990 race famous for the first-corner collision between Ayrton Senna and Alain Prost and a resultant Benetton 1-2, made a welcome appearance, as did tyre men Hiroshi Yasukawa and Hirohide Hamashima.

Of course, what really makes any visit to the Japanese Grand Prix is the local fans, whose Formula One knowledge and enthusiasm know no bounds…

Watch: Japanese fans - the heart of Suzuka

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