The Japanese Grand Prix will remain at Suzuka until at least the 2024 season after the circuit agreed a new deal with Formula 1.
Japanese engine manufacturer Honda, which owns the circuit’s operator Mobilityland, will make its final appearance as an F1 engine constructor at the venue in the Japanese Grand Prix later this year, before leaving the series at the end of the season.The October race will also be the first home event for Yuki Tsunoda. Japan’s round of the championship has not been contested by a local driver since Kamui Kobayashi in 2014.
“This extension is part of our long-term commitment to growing the sport in Asia,” said Formula 1 CEO Stefano Domenicali. “We are pleased to be able to continue our successful relationship with Mobilityland.”
Suzuka is Japan’s most regularly visited F1 venue by far. It has held all bar six of the 37 rounds of the world championship held in Japan. Fuji, scene of Japan’s first F1 race in 1976, and TI Aida played host to the rest.
The Japanese Grand Prix was last held in 2019. Last year’s scheduled race did not go ahead due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
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Kribana (@krichelle)
24th April 2021, 5:09
This track has to remain on the calendar. Only thing bad about this event, is that when I went to watch the race in 2019, the organizers did not open the track to all the fans after the race, as a VIP pass was required to enter the circuit after the race if I remember correctly. But, I think it is because of the open pit lane access during Friday and Saturday night.
Leroy (@g-funk)
24th April 2021, 5:46
This is great news! A welcome contrast to the Miami GP announcement.
Jere (@jerejj)
24th April 2021, 7:32
Good news. One of the best tracks.
Pete Watson (@cheezeejazz)
24th April 2021, 7:38
Would an F1 car on an Oval be faster than the Indy cars that normally race there? If so then it does seem to make sense to race there if the aim is build a US following. I love F1 for many reasons, but the main one is that it’s THE fastest series. If I normally watched Indy car and then someone else started racing their at more impressive speeds I’d definitely want to tune in at least just to see what it was all about!
Mashiat (@mashiat)
24th April 2021, 8:24
@cheezeejazz It could be faster than Indycar, but they’d have to make modifications. Because when racing on a circuit like Indy, it’s more about straight-line speed than downforce. You’d see extremely skinny front and rear wings, and no more bargeboards etc.
UNeedAFinn2Win (@uneedafinn2win)
24th April 2021, 8:30
@cheezeejazz, Well, the current Indycar Dallara DW12 is somewhere between Superformula Dallara SF19 and Formula 2 Dallara F2 2018 in performance.
Penske simply won’t allow F1 to run the oval at least not in the current Formula.
KaIIe (@kaiie)
24th April 2021, 7:55
Great news! While not the best track for racing with the modern cars, Suzuka should always have a place on the calendar – fast and unforgiving, like it should be.
Sensord4notbeingafanboi (@peartree)
24th April 2021, 10:15
Suzuka is returning to f1 but, is f1 returning to suzuka? can we call this thing we have been watching f1.
Dave
24th April 2021, 11:32
Done at the Super Formula weekend.
Balue (@balue)
24th April 2021, 12:33
Fantastic, although overtaking is maybe a bit too difficult. Maybe make the last chicane much faster.
davidhunter13 (@davidhunter13)
24th April 2021, 13:37
Don’t change perfection. Plus if the 2022 cars really can follow much better then this could change. I can imagine cars staying much closer together during the Senna esses (S’s??!).
I love this track and it’s on my bucket list to see F1 there, hopefully in the next couple of years, so this is fantastic news for me.
Balue (@balue)
24th April 2021, 21:09
@davidhunter13 Perfect to drive and watch cars going around, but overtaking is reserved for cars with big advantage which is unfair.
As it is now, the best overtaking spot is before the chicane when it really should be turn 1.
Calum
24th April 2021, 20:28
If I ever travel to Japan, I’d love to include a trip to Suzuka for a Grand Prix.
Keep extending their deal F1!
DB-C90 (@dbradock)
25th April 2021, 2:03
Great news. Suzuka is at the top of my bucket list of tracks I’ve yet to visit.
Asanator (@asanator)
26th April 2021, 10:54
Didn’t Fuji also host rounds in 2007 and 2008?