Alonso: Suzuka all about passion, G-forces and speed

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Fernando Alonso will get a double-dose of Japan in the next two weekends as he dovetails Suzuka with a stint in the WEC at Fuji one week later, and nothing could make him more happy.

Like the majority of his colleagues, the McLaren driver is a big fan of racing in the country of the rising sun, where the incredible passion and fervor from the fan community is rivaled by no other venue.

"I love Suzuka – it’s one of the best tracks of the year. I’ve had some great memories there – 2006 is a personal highlight – and I love spending time in Japan," he said ahead of this weekend's Japanese Grand Prix.

"This year I’ll finally be able to get used to the time zone, as I’ll be there for two weeks, one week in Suzuka and one in Fuji.

"I’m looking forward to it and also to visiting Tokyo, where I’ll try to spend as many days as possible between racing."

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From crazy hats to wild accoutrements, F1 fans in Japan hold nothing back when it comes to showing their support and passion for their favourite driver, and they'll travel the extra mile to do so.

"The fans are the most incredible thing about Suzuka," says the Spaniard.

"They are amazing, even from Thursday when we have our media day and we go to the grandstands for the autograph signing, we see so many fans.

"They’re at the hotel, the train station – everywhere we go there are a lot of passionate Japanese fans."

While the fans provide the backdrop at Suzuka, at the forefront of a driver's attention is the track itself, with its combination of corners, its speed and challenges.

"It wouldn’t be fair to say it’s only the fans that make the circuit so special. It’s great because it’s very demanding, and perfect for Formula 1 cars," says Alonso.

"You can use all the potential of these cars and their aerodynamic performance as they match perfectly with the corners at Suzuka.

"The first sector is quite impressive, and when everything works well and you’re confident in the car you can really push through the Esses.

"The g-forces and the feelings you get when you race there are quite amazing. As drivers, we love the speed – even when it’s flat-out it’s still enjoyable."

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.