Stat Attack: Japan

Michele Merlino investigates the records and compiles the stats ahead of the Japanese Grand Prix

Japan personal scoreboard

• Jenson Button has climbed only once on the podium in Japan, in 2004 behind the Schumacher brothers. He was also able to start once from the front row, in 2005 alongside Ralf Schumacher. In the last three editions of the race he has scored only one point, with an eighth place last year. This is in stark contrast with his first seven appearances, when he never finished lower than seventh. Button has finished all the ten Japanese GP he contested;

• Lewis Hamilton scored a hat-trick at the Fuji track in 2007 and was in pole also the following year, finishing 12th after a controversial race (a penalty and a contact with Massa), last year in Suzuka he was third both in qualifying and in the race. His fourth retirement of the year in Singapore marks a relevant factor in his title chase: in the last ten years only Michael Schumacher in 2000 was able to win the title retiring four times during the season;

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