Suzuka hoping for 2008 Grand Prix return

By Phil Huff
September 21 2006

Officials at the Honda owned Suzuka circuit, the current home of the Japanese Grand Prix, are hoping to return to the F1 schedule in 2008 after losing out to their Toyota owned rivals at the Fuji Speedway.

Fuji have the contract to run the Japanese Grand Prix from 2007, leaving Suzuka, one of the most popular tracks of the championship with both fans and drivers alike, without a Grand Prix for the first time in 20 years.

The circuit management had hoped to retain a place on the calendar, hosting the Pacific Grand Prix, as the Aida Circuit had in 1994 and 1995, but that plan has now been quashed. Speaking to Reuters, the circuit's public relations officer, Yasuo Sugaya, admitted that a request to host a race in 2007 had been turned down.

"We were informed by the Formula One authorities yesterday," he said. "Obviously we feel it is a great pity, but we are continuing negotiations in order to be included from the 2008 season.

"We had been hopeful we could come to an arrangement to have two races," he admitted, "but unfortunately it was not to be. It's still possible we can come back next year [2008] so we'll keep trying."

Suzuka is one of the more popular circuits, finishing just behind the historic Monza circuit in the 2005 FIA/AMD Formula One Survey. Monaco was favourite, but 38% of fans said their interest in Formula One would decrease if Suzuka was removed from the Championship.