Aguri Suzuki
The first Japanese driver to stand on a Formula One podium, who later founded his own F1 team.
Born 1960 (age 66)·Japanese racing driver and motorsport executive·Birthday: September 8·Baby Boomers
Biography
Aguri Suzuki broke through a formidable barrier in global motorsport. As a Formula One driver in the late 80s and early 90s, he carried the hopes of a nation with little F1 heritage. His moment of triumph came at the chaotic 1990 Japanese Grand Prix at Suzuka, his home track, where he guided his Lola to a stunning third place. That podium finish—the first ever for a Japanese driver—was more than a personal achievement; it was a national inspiration, proving Japanese drivers could compete at the very top. After his driving career, he channeled that pioneering spirit into management, most audaciously by founding the Super Aguri F1 Team in 2006. Though short-lived, the team was a heartfelt, underdog project that gave Takuma Sato a memorable platform to fight with the giants.
Baby Boomers
1946–1964
The largest generation in history at the time. Shaped by postwar prosperity, the Vietnam War, the sexual revolution, and Watergate. They questioned every institution their parents built — then ran them.
Aguri was born in 1960, placing them squarely in the Baby Boomers. The events that shaped this generation — postwar prosperity, civil rights, Vietnam, and the counterculture — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Aguri Was Born
The biggest hits of 1960
#1 Movie
Swiss Family Robinson
Best Picture
The Apartment
#1 TV Show
Gunsmoke
Aguri's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1960Born
Kennedy-Nixon debates become first televised presidential debates
Gas: $0.31/galHome: $11,900Min wage: $1.00/hrPresident: Dwight D. Eisenhower"Theme from A Summer Place" — Percy FaithBest Picture: The Apartment
1965Started school
US sends combat troops to Vietnam
Gas: $0.31/galHome: $13,600Min wage: $1.25/hrPresident: Lyndon B. Johnson"(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction" — The Rolling StonesBest Picture: The Sound of Music
1973Became a teenager
US withdraws from Vietnam; Roe v. Wade decided
Gas: $0.39/galHome: $22,100Min wage: $1.60/hrPresident: Richard Nixon"Tie a Yellow Ribbon Round the Ole Oak Tree" — Tony Orlando & DawnBest Picture: The Sting
1976Could drive
Apple Computer founded; US bicentennial
Gas: $0.59/galHome: $29,300Min wage: $2.30/hrPresident: Gerald Ford"Silly Love Songs" — WingsBest Picture: Rocky
1978Could vote
First test-tube baby born
Gas: $0.63/galHome: $35,300Min wage: $2.65/hrPresident: Jimmy Carter"Shadow Dancing" — Andy GibbBest Picture: The Deer Hunter
1981Turned 21
MTV launches; first Space Shuttle flight; AIDS identified
Gas: $1.31/galHome: $52,300Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Bette Davis Eyes" — Kim CarnesBest Picture: Chariots of Fire
1990Turned 30
Hubble Space Telescope launched; Germany reunifies
Gas: $1.15/galHome: $79,100Min wage: $3.80/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"Hold On" — Wilson PhillipsBest Picture: Dances with Wolves
2000Turned 40
Y2K passes without incident; contested Bush-Gore election
Gas: $1.51/galHome: $119,600Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Breathe" — Faith HillBest Picture: Gladiator
2010Turned 50
Deepwater Horizon oil spill; iPad launched
Gas: $2.79/galHome: $147,800Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Tik Tok" — KeshaBest Picture: The King's Speech
2020Turned 60
COVID-19 pandemic shuts down the world
Gas: $2.17/galHome: $248,800Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"Blinding Lights" — The WeekndBest Picture: Nomadland
2026Age 66 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Became the first Japanese driver to achieve a Formula One podium finish, placing third at the 1990 Japanese Grand Prix.
- Founded and led the Super Aguri F1 Team, which competed in the Formula One World Championship from 2006 to 2008.
- Competed in 88 Formula One Grands Prix, driving for teams including Larrousse, Footwork, and Jordan.
- Won the 1988 All-Japan Formula 3000 championship, a key feeder series to F1.
Did You Know?
His third-place finish in 1990 was also the first and only podium for the Larrousse team.
The Super Aguri team was named using a combination of his first and last names (Aguri Suzuki).
Before F1, he was a motorcycle mechanic and raced motorcycles himself.
He is the father of former IndyCar and Super Formula driver Aguri
After retiring from driving, he became a prominent television commentator for Formula One in Japan.
“To finish third at Suzuka, in the rain, was my answer to everyone.”
