Lewis Hamilton’s favourite section of race track ‘in the world’ undergoes big change for 2025 F1 season

Lewis Hamilton has won at an incredible 31 different circuits since he entered F1 back in 2007. He’s scored 105 victories in total, 14 more than any other driver.

Fittingly, his most successful circuit is Silverstone. Hamilton has won nine times on home soil, which is also an F1 record (Alain Prost is second with six victories in France).

Up next is the Hungaroring, site of his first-ever triumph for Mercedes. He has eight wins there, and seven at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve in Canada, where he broke his duck at McLaren.

He’s scored six apiece in Shanghai and Barcelona, and five at Sakhir, Austin, Monza (Ferrari’s home track), Sochi, Yas Marina and Spa. And yet, none of these tracks are Hamilton’s favourite from a pure driving perspective.

First sector resurfaced ahead of 2025 Japanese Grand Prix despite Lewis Hamilton praise

The third stop on the 2025 Formula 1 calendar is Suzuka, home of the Japanese Grand Prix. And with just over two months to go until F1’s visit, the circuit has undergone a major change.

The first sector, which features the iconic Esses, has been resurfaced. The venue’s official X account confirmed as much by sharing photos on Saturday.

Hamilton loves this section of race track. Speaking to Sky Sports F1 at last year’s event, where he finished ninth, he revealed that it’s his absolute favourite.

The veteran driver says it’s ‘incredible’ to tackle the sequence of corners, provided you have adequate grip. But the tarmac could be slippery when he arrives in his Ferrari in April, rather spoiling the experience.

“Sector one is the best first sector of any circuit in the world,” Hamilton said. “It’s absolutely incredible when the car is where you want it to be and I can feel exactly where the car is weak.”

Why Damon Hill was terrified of driving at Suzuka

Hamilton has won four times at Suzuka, though he had to wait until 2014 to stand on the top step. He was victorious in Japan during his rookie season, but that was when the race was held at Fuji.

Suzuka is one of the most popular tracks on the calendar, so fans and drivers alike will be pleased that its long-term future is secure amid a new wave of races. Its contract runs until 2029.

Former Williams driver Damon Hill had mixed feelings on Suzuka, which he called a ‘scary’ test. He says part of his brain would tell him to slow down as he hurtled through the high-speed bends.

But Hill sealed his only F1 championship in the Mie Prefecture, so it will surely occupy a special place in his heart.