2005 Japanese Grand Prix

Championship standings

Alonso is the 2005 World Drivers’ Champion, crowned at Brazil. The battle for the Constructors’ Championship continues at this penultimate round, with McLaren leading Renault by two points.

Previous race

Montoya won Brazil ahead of Räikkönen, with Alonso third — enough to clinch the title. It was McLaren’s first one-two finish since the 2000 Austrian Grand Prix and the only point during the entire season where McLaren held more championship points than Renault. Heidfeld’s absence continued, with Pizzonia again standing in at Williams.

Between-race developments

Honda announce the acquisition of all shares in BAR at a press conference before the race weekend. The team will race as Honda from 2006.

Antônio Pizzonia is confirmed as Williams’ driver for the final two races. Test driver Nico Rosberg was considered but passed over as he has not previously driven at Suzuka or Shanghai.

Toyota bring the updated TF105B to the final two races of the season.

Practice

Pedro de la Rosa is fastest in the first free practice session for McLaren, completing 23 laps and finishing more than half a second ahead of Ricardo Zonta in the Toyota. Schumacher ends up quickest in the third session. Fisichella sets the fastest time in the final practice session, edging Karthikeyan by 0.014 seconds.

Qualifying takes place on a wet track, with conditions deteriorating through the session.