High Quality Content by WIKIPEDIA articles! The 1996 Japanese Grand Prix was a Formula One race held on October 13, 1996 at Suzuka. Jacques Villeneuve`s retirement ended his small chance of the title, handing it to Damon Hill. Hill needed to finish 6th or higher to win the title, while Villeneuve could have only take the title if he had won the race and Hill finished outside the points.