This week’s news that the Fuji Speedway will not be hosting next year’s Japanese Grand Prix brought back bitter-sweet memories.
Before the announcement, the Japanese Grand Prix was to be alternated between the Toyota-owned Fuji Speedway and the Honda-owned Suzuka. The global economic downturn is responsible for Fuji’s demise and for now at least, it’s unclear whether Suzuka is willing to carry the can every year.
Japan’s future as an F1 host becomes even more tenuous as the sport’s supremo Bernie Ecclestone seems keen on neighboring South Korea as a race destination. ESPN STAR Sports
Toyota, the world’s largest car company, suffered a record £2.8bn loss in the year to March 2009 and is expecting its finances to be worse this year.
“It has become extremely difficult for us to host the F1 Grand Prix as we face the deteriorating economic environment and see few signs showing a swift economic recovery,” Fuji Speedway said in a statement.
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A spokesman added: “It is not clear at this moment whether a 2010 race in Japan will be hosted by others or if a race will be held in another country.” BBC Sport
The race’s future will depend on whether Honda, which sold its formula one team to Ross Brawn earlier this year, will continue to consider the investment worthwhile.
“In view of the sharply deteriorating business conditions and few signs of a rapid economic recovery, we decided it would be extremely difficult to continue holding the formula one Japanese grand prix,” said an official statement from the Toyota-owned Fuji circuit.
Hiroaki Kato, the president of the circuit, said: “After only having announced barely three years ago, in March 2006, that Fuji Speedway would hold the formula one Japanese grand prix, it is heart-wrenching that we were not able to avoid the decision to abandon our plans to hold the race in 2010.” guardian.co.uk
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