Sutil hopes Fuji knowledge pays off

The German won last year's Japanese Formula Three title for TOM'S and, having had numerous outings at Fuji, he is one of the few men on the Formula One grid to know the track

"I had many F3 races and many tests there, so it's like my second home track," said Sutil. "The experience will help as I know which parts are important and how you set up the car there, what the benefits are and so on.

"I think it's very good to know about driving this circuit because it's not easy, and there are some special corners where you really have to be very smooth and not push, because otherwise you will be slow. I hope it will be an advantage."

Sutil thinks F1 cars will be well suited to the track, and that drivers will enjoy the various challenges of the layout.

"I think it's very good that F1 is going there. The area surrounding the circuit is very nice, and the circuit is also a special track. It has a long straight, and also very tricky middle and last sectors.

"It's hard to find the right balance, because you need to be quick on the straights, but you need downforce for the last corners.

"In general I really like it. The last corner is really good, as you go straight towards Mount Fuji, and you see it right in front of you. The environment around it makes the track very special."