Top 5 F1 Drivers from Japan

Japan is one of those few countries which has truly embraced Formula 1, with Japanese fans turning out in huge numbers every year to support their favorite team or driver. However, when it comes to success on the track, the country does not have much to show for in terms of driver talent. The only high point being the success of Honda as engine supplier in the 1980s and early 1990s.Here is a list of the 5 greatest drivers which the country has ever produced.

#5 Kazuki Nakajima

After an impressive tenth place finish at the 2007 Brazilian Grand Prix for Williams, the team retained him for the next season.

He secured several points in his first ever full season in F1, but after a disappointing 2009 season, he was dropped by the team.

Outside F1, he has enjoyed a successful career with Super Formula Championship Titles in 2012 and 2014, and competitive showings at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, Super GT and World Endurance Championship.

#4 Satoru Nakajima

After a successful junior Formula career in Japan, Nakajima graduated to F1 in 1987 with Team Lotus. Although outclassed by his teammate the great Ayrton Senna, he still finished in points on several occasions with his best result being a fourth place finish in Great Britain.

He then scored points on a few more occasions with his best finish being a fourth place finish along with the fastest lap at the 1989 Australian Grand Prix.

After a two year stint with Tyrrell, he left the sport at the end of the 1991 season.

#3 Takuma Sato

Sato joined Formula 1 with Jordan in 2002 and scored a fifth place finish at his home Grand Prix. This was followed by a sixth place finish at the same venue the following year, but this time for the BAR Honda Team. BAR retained him for the next season in 2004, in which he impressed everyone with several points finishes including two fourth place finishes and a third place finish at the United States Grand Prix.

The next year proved to be less fruitful for him and he was hired by the newly formed Japanese team Super Aguri in 2006. During his three year stint with the team, Sato finished a few races in the points before his team had to fold due to financial difficulties.

#2 Aguri Suzuki

Suzuki struggled at the beginning of his F1 career with Zakspeed Racing, but his fortunes improved when he joined Larousse and subsequently the Footwork Team.

With Larousse in 1990, he had his best ever F1 season with two sixth place finishes topped by a third place finish at his home Grand Prix. He was the first Asian driver to stand atop the podium.

After this, subsequent stints at Footwork, Jordan and Ligier didn’t provide much results due to uncompetitive machinery.

#1 Kamui Kobayashi

The most recent driver from Japan might also be the best the country has ever produced. After an impressive sixth place finish in only his second race start in Formula 1 for Toyota F1 Team, he was subsequently hired by Sauber F1 Team as full time F1 driver for the 2010 Season.

Living up to the expectations, he finished in the points on several occasions throughout the year and continued his excellent form in 2011. 2012 season proved to be the defining year for him. He impressed by qualifying in the top three at China, Belgium and Japan and was a consistent points scorer. It was topped by an excellent podium finish at his home grand prix, thus becoming only the second driver to do so.

He was dropped by Sauber in 2013, but returned with Caterham the next year.