Japanese motorcycle Grand Prix

The Japanese Motorcycle Grand Prix (日本グランプリ) is a motorcycling event that is part of the Grand Prix motorcycle racing season.

Japanese Grand Prix
Grand Prix motorcycle racing
VenueMobility Resort Motegi (1999, 2004–2019, 2022–present)
Suzuka Circuit (1963–1965, 1987–1998, 2000–2003)
Fuji Speedway (1966–1967)
First race1963
Most wins (rider)Marc Márquez (5)
Most wins (manufacturer)Honda (49)

The main venue who held the races for years was the Suzuka Circuit, until it permanently was replaced by the Mobility Resort Motegi from 2004 onwards after the circuit faced criticism for its short runoff areas and dangerous trackside barriers, causing the death of Japanese rider Daijiro Kato and the injuries of Marco Melandri and Alex Barros at the 2003 Japanese Grand Prix. As a result, Suzuka was faced with making considerable safety alterations to avoid a possible strike by the riders – many of whom believed the 240 hp motorbikes had outgrown the tight circuit. The FIM stated that the modifications would not be completed before 2005 and that, therefore, the 2004 Japanese Grand Prix would be held at Motegi, but Suzuka has not appeared on the calendar since.[1]

The 2020 and 2021 races were cancelled due to the outbreak of COVID-19.[2]

The event is due to take place at the Mobility Resort Motegi until at least 2023.[3]

Official names and sponsors
  • 1963: Grand Prix Race Meeting (no official sponsor)[4]
  • 1987–1989, 2001, 2005, 2010–2011: Grand Prix of Japan (no official sponsor)[5]
  • 1990–1991: Kibun Japanese Grand Prix[6]
  • 1992: Japanese Grand Prix (no official sponsor)[7]
  • 1993: Marlboro GP[8]
  • 1994–2000: Marlboro Grand Prix of Japan[9]
  • 2002–2003: SKYY vodka Grand Prix of Japan[10]
  • 2004: Camel Grand Prix of Japan[11]
  • 2006–2008: A-Style Grand Prix of Japan[12]
  • 2009: Polini Grand Prix of Japan[13]
  • 2012–2013: AirAsia Grand Prix of Japan[14]
  • 2014–2019, 2022–present: Motul Grand Prix of Japan[15]

Formerly used circuits
  • Suzuka, used in 1987–1998 and 2000–2003
    Suzuka, used in 1987–1998 and 2000–2003
  • Fuji, used in 1966–1967
    Fuji, used in 1966–1967
  • Suzuka layout used in 1962–1965
    Suzuka layout used in 1962–1965

Winners of the Japanese Motorcycle Grand Prix
Kevin Schwantz on Suzuki RGV500 at the 1993 Japanese GP
Daijiro Kato winning the 1998 Japanese GP on his Honda NSR250
Dani Pedrosa celebrating after winning the 2011 Japanese GP on his Honda RC212V
Valentino Rossi in the lead followed by Marc Márquez and Dani Pedrosa at the 2013 Japanese GP
Marc Márquez riding his Honda RC213V while crossing the finish line first at the 2018 Japanese GP

Multiple winners (riders)
# Wins Rider Wins
Category Years won
5 Spain Marc Márquez MotoGP 2016, 2018, 2019
Moto2 2012
125cc 2010
4 United States Kevin Schwantz 500cc 1988, 1989, 1991, 1994
Japan Daijiro Kato 250cc 1997, 1998, 2000, 2001
Italy Valentino Rossi MotoGP 2002, 2003, 2008
500cc 2001
Spain Dani Pedrosa MotoGP 2011, 2012, 2015
250cc 2004
3 Rhodesia Jim Redman 350cc 1964
250cc 1963, 1964
United Kingdom Mike Hailwood 350cc 1965, 1967
250cc 1965
Italy Luca Cadalora 250cc 1990, 1991, 1992
Italy Loris Capirossi MotoGP 2005, 2006, 2007
Finland Mika Kallio 250cc 2007
125cc 2005, 2006
Spain Jorge Lorenzo MotoGP 2009, 2013, 2014
Spain Álex Márquez Moto2 2017
Moto3 2013, 2014
2 Switzerland Luigi Taveri 50cc 1963, 1965
United Kingdom Bill Ivy 125cc 1966, 1967
United States Wayne Rainey 500cc 1990, 1993
Germany Ralf Waldmann 250cc 1995
125cc 1992
Japan Noboru Ueda 125cc 1991, 1997
Australia Mick Doohan 500cc 1992, 1997
Italy Max Biaggi 500cc 1998
250cc 1996
Japan Norifumi Abe 500cc 1996, 2000
Japan Masao Azuma 125cc 1999, 2001
Japan Hiroshi Aoyama 250cc 2005, 2006
Italy Andrea Iannone Moto2 2011
125cc 2009
France Johann Zarco Moto2 2015
125cc 2011
Switzerland Thomas Lüthi Moto2 2014, 2016
Italy Andrea Dovizioso MotoGP 2017
125cc 2004

Multiple winners (manufacturers)
# Wins Manufacturer Wins
Category Years won
49 Japan Honda MotoGP 2002, 2003, 2004, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2016, 2018, 2019
500cc 1992, 1997, 1998, 2001
350cc 1964, 1967
250cc 1963, 1964, 1965, 1967, 1987, 1988, 1991, 1992, 1994, 1995, 1997, 1998, 2000, 2001, 2004, 2005
Moto3 2014, 2015, 2017, 2019, 2023
125cc 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1997, 1999, 2001, 2004
50cc 1963, 1965
18 Japan Yamaha MotoGP 2008, 2009, 2013, 2014
500cc 1987, 1990, 1993, 1996, 2000
350cc 1966
250cc 1966, 1989, 1990, 1993, 1999, 2002
125cc 1966, 1967
11 Japan Suzuki 500cc 1988, 1989, 1991, 1994, 1995, 1999
125cc 1963, 1964, 1965
50cc 1966, 1967
10 Italy Aprilia 250cc 1996, 2003, 2009
125cc 1996, 1998, 2002, 2003, 2007, 2008, 2009
8 Austria KTM 250cc 2006, 2007
Moto3 2012, 2013, 2016, 2018
125cc 2005, 2006
Germany Kalex Moto2 2013, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2022, 2023
7 Italy Ducati MotoGP 2005, 2006, 2007, 2010, 2017, 2022, 2023
3 Spain Derbi 125cc 2000, 2010, 2011
Switzerland Suter Moto2 2011, 2012, 2014

By year

A pink background indicates an event that was not part of the Grand Prix motorcycle racing championship.

Year Track Moto3 Moto2 MotoGP Report
Rider Manufacturer Rider Manufacturer Rider Manufacturer
2023 Motegi Spain Jaume Masià Honda Thailand Somkiat Chantra Kalex Spain Jorge Martín Ducati Report
2022 Spain Izan Guevara Gas Gas Japan Ai Ogura Kalex Australia Jack Miller Ducati Report
2021 Cancelled due to COVID-19 concerns
2020
2019 Italy Lorenzo Dalla Porta Honda Italy Luca Marini Kalex Spain Marc Márquez Honda Report
2018 Italy Marco Bezzecchi KTM Italy Francesco Bagnaia Kalex Spain Marc Márquez Honda Report
2017 Italy Romano Fenati Honda Spain Álex Márquez Kalex Italy Andrea Dovizioso Ducati Report
2016 Italy Enea Bastianini KTM Switzerland Thomas Lüthi Kalex Spain Marc Márquez Honda Report
2015 Italy Niccolò Antonelli Honda France Johann Zarco Kalex Spain Dani Pedrosa Honda Report
2014 Spain Álex Márquez Honda Switzerland Thomas Lüthi Suter Spain Jorge Lorenzo Yamaha Report
2013 Spain Álex Márquez KTM Spain Pol Espargaró Kalex Spain Jorge Lorenzo Yamaha Report
2012 United Kingdom Danny Kent KTM Spain Marc Márquez Suter Spain Dani Pedrosa Honda Report
Year Track 125cc Moto2 MotoGP Report
Rider Manufacturer Rider Manufacturer Rider Manufacturer
2011 Motegi France Johann Zarco Derbi Italy Andrea Iannone Suter Spain Dani Pedrosa Honda Report
2010 Spain Marc Márquez Derbi Spain Toni Elías Moriwaki Australia Casey Stoner Ducati Report
Year Track 125cc 250cc MotoGP Report
Rider Manufacturer Rider Manufacturer Rider Manufacturer
2009 Motegi Italy Andrea Iannone Aprilia Spain Álvaro Bautista Aprilia Spain Jorge Lorenzo Yamaha Report
2008 Germany Stefan Bradl Aprilia Italy Marco Simoncelli Gilera Italy Valentino Rossi Yamaha Report
2007 Italy Mattia Pasini Aprilia Finland Mika Kallio KTM Italy Loris Capirossi Ducati Report
2006 Finland Mika Kallio KTM Japan Hiroshi Aoyama KTM Italy Loris Capirossi Ducati Report
2005 Finland Mika Kallio KTM Japan Hiroshi Aoyama Honda Italy Loris Capirossi Ducati Report
2004 Italy Andrea Dovizioso Honda Spain Daniel Pedrosa Honda Japan Makoto Tamada Honda Report
2003 Suzuka Italy Stefano Perugini Aprilia San Marino Manuel Poggiali Aprilia Italy Valentino Rossi Honda Report
2002 France Arnaud Vincent Aprilia Japan Osamu Miyazaki Yamaha Italy Valentino Rossi Honda Report
Year Track 125cc 250cc 500cc Report
Rider Manufacturer Rider Manufacturer Rider Manufacturer
2001 Suzuka Japan Masao Azuma Honda Japan Daijiro Kato Honda Italy Valentino Rossi Honda Report
2000 Japan Youichi Ui Derbi Japan Daijiro Kato Honda Japan Norifumi Abe Yamaha Report
1999 Motegi Japan Masao Azuma Honda Japan Shinya Nakano Yamaha United States Kenny Roberts, Jr. Suzuki Report
1998 Suzuka Japan Kazuto Sakata Aprilia Japan Daijiro Kato Honda Italy Max Biaggi Honda Report
1997 Japan Noboru Ueda Honda Japan Daijiro Kato Honda Australia Michael Doohan Honda Report
1996 Japan Masaki Tokudome Aprilia Italy Max Biaggi Aprilia Japan Norifumi Abe Yamaha Report
1995 Japan Haruchika Aoki Honda Germany Ralf Waldmann Honda Australia Daryl Beattie Suzuki Report
1994 Japan Takeshi Tsujimura Honda Japan Tadayuki Okada Honda United States Kevin Schwantz Suzuki Report
1993 Germany Dirk Raudies Honda Japan Tetsuya Harada Yamaha United States Wayne Rainey Yamaha Report
1992 Germany Ralf Waldmann Honda Italy Luca Cadalora Honda Australia Michael Doohan Honda Report
1991 Japan Noboru Ueda Honda Italy Luca Cadalora Honda United States Kevin Schwantz Suzuki Report
1990 Netherlands Hans Spaan Honda Italy Luca Cadalora Yamaha United States Wayne Rainey Yamaha Report
Year Track 80cc 125cc 250cc 500cc Report
Rider Manufacturer Rider Manufacturer Rider Manufacturer Rider Manufacturer
1989 Suzuka Italy Ezio Gianola Honda United States John Kocinski Yamaha United States Kevin Schwantz Suzuki Report
1988 Germany Anton Mang Honda United States Kevin Schwantz Suzuki Report
1987 Japan Masaru Kobayashi Honda United States Randy Mamola Yamaha Report
Year Track 50cc 125cc 250cc 350cc 500cc Report
Rider Manufacturer Rider Manufacturer Rider Manufacturer Rider Manufacturer Rider Manufacturer
1967 Fuji Japan Mitsuo Itoh Suzuki United Kingdom Bill Ivy Yamaha United Kingdom Ralph Bryans Honda United Kingdom Mike Hailwood Honda Report
1966 Japan Yoshimi Katayama Suzuki United Kingdom Bill Ivy Yamaha Japan Hiroshi Hasegawa Yamaha United Kingdom Phil Read Yamaha Report
1965 Suzuka Switzerland Luigi Taveri Honda New Zealand Hugh Anderson Suzuki United Kingdom Mike Hailwood Honda United Kingdom Mike Hailwood MV Agusta Report
1964 United Kingdom Ralph Bryans [N 1] Honda Germany Ernst Degner Suzuki Rhodesia Jim Redman Honda Rhodesia Jim Redman Honda Report
1963 Switzerland Luigi Taveri Honda United Kingdom Frank Perris Suzuki Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland Jim Redman Honda Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland Jim Redman [N 2] Honda Report
1962 United Kingdom Tommy Robb Honda United Kingdom Tommy Robb Honda Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland Jim Redman Honda Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland Jim Redman Honda Report

Notes
  1. The 1964 50cc race only had five competitors and the race was excluded from the world championship.[16]
  2. The 1963 350cc race only had three competitors and the race was excluded from the world championship.[17]

References
  1. "Suzuka scrapped from 2004 calendar". Crash. 19 September 2003.
  2. "Motul Grand Prix of Japan cancelled". MotoGP.com. Dorna Sports. 1 June 2020. Retrieved 1 June 2020.
  3. "MotoGP to remain at the Twin Ring Motegi until 2023". MotoGP.com. Dorna Sports. 20 August 2017. Retrieved 3 September 2022.
  4. "1963 500cc Class (FIM Grand Prix World Championship) Programmes | The Motor Racing Programme Covers Project". progcovers.com.
  5. "1987 500cc Class (FIM Grand Prix World Championship) Programmes | The Motor Racing Programme Covers Project". progcovers.com.
  6. "1990 500cc Class (FIM Grand Prix World Championship) Programmes | The Motor Racing Programme Covers Project". progcovers.com.
  7. "1992 500cc Class (FIM Grand Prix World Championship) Programmes | The Motor Racing Programme Covers Project". progcovers.com.
  8. "1993 500cc Class (FIM Grand Prix World Championship) Programmes | The Motor Racing Programme Covers Project". progcovers.com.
  9. "1994 500cc Class (FIM Grand Prix World Championship) Programmes | The Motor Racing Programme Covers Project". progcovers.com.
  10. "2002 MotoGP Class (FIM Grand Prix World Championship) Programmes | The Motor Racing Programme Covers Project". progcovers.com.
  11. "2004 MotoGP Class (FIM Grand Prix World Championship) Programmes | The Motor Racing Programme Covers Project". progcovers.com.
  12. "2006 MotoGP Class (FIM Grand Prix World Championship) Programmes | The Motor Racing Programme Covers Project". progcovers.com.
  13. "2009 MotoGP Class (FIM Grand Prix World Championship) Programmes | The Motor Racing Programme Covers Project". progcovers.com.
  14. "2012 MotoGP Class (FIM Grand Prix World Championship) Programmes | The Motor Racing Programme Covers Project". progcovers.com.
  15. "2014 MotoGP Class (FIM Grand Prix World Championship) Programmes | The Motor Racing Programme Covers Project". progcovers.com.
  16. "Les Championnats du Monde de Courses sur Route – L'année 1964" [World Championship Road Racing – 1964]. Racing Memory (in French). Archived from the original on 8 March 2012. Retrieved 5 November 2011.
  17. "Les Championnats du Monde de Courses sur Route – L'année 1963" [World Championship Road Racing – 1963]. Racing Memory (in French). Archived from the original on 15 March 2012. Retrieved 5 November 2011.
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