Before every Formula 1 race, Reuters provide a form sheet, facts and figures, and statistics. There’s always a gem or two in there, and for the Japanese Grand Prix, this one jumped out at me:

No Japanese driver has ever won his home race

Initially, I was shocked by that. But then I thought about it: there haven’t been any Japanese Formula 1 champions, so maybe it shouldn’t be such a surprise. Then I looked a bit further, and there haven’t even been any Japanese Formula 1 race winners. Maybe I’m an idiot, but I didn’t realise that.

In fact, it’s only Honda engines and Bridgestone tyres representing Japan in world championship winning terms. And as James Allen points out, for the first time in decades, there’s no Japanese engine on the grid this weekend.

Which all makes it fascinating – and brilliant – that the Japanese remain so mental about Formula 1. There’s no action on track on Thursday, but still there were crowds of fans at the circuit and in the grandstands – as this photo from Anthony Davidson perfectly illustrates.

It’s enough to make me distinctly envious.