The Japanese Grand Prix preview

The Japanese Grand Prix preview

Suzuka is back, and with it a flood of memories of tites won and lost. It's also a circuit that encourages action - remember the closing laps of the 2005 thriller? Edd Straw looks ahead to the 25th Japanese GP as Jenson Button gets his first opportunity to become world champion

Japan has been the scene of many a title-decider over the years, and it would suit Jenson Button very nicely to pick up the points he needs to put it beyond the reach of team-mate Rubens Barrichello and Red Bull's Sebastian Vettel – who is hanging on in there – with two races to go.

He will start the weekend hoping, rather than expecting, to do so, as he needs to outscore the Brazilian by five points to secure an early coronation. Given the characteristics of the upgraded Suzuka circuit, a more realistic target would be to pick up a solid finish and head to Brazil with his current 15-point lead intact.

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