Fuji Speedway Pulls Out Of Formula One

Fuji Speedway has decided not to host the race in 2010. The track is owned by Toyota and they have blamed the economic downturn on pulling the race. Toyota have had a record £2.8bn loss last year and suspects it will be worse this year. No doubt the huge fees Bernie Ecclestone demands to host a race have not helped the decision.

Fuji has hosted the race for the last two years and was meant to host it in 2010 after starting a deal with Honda-owned Suzuka, (its previous home) to alternate between the two.

As of yet Suzuka has not said whether it would be prepared host the race in 2010 or every year. However I suspect they will if a deal can be struck with Bernie Ecclestone.

Fuji Speedway released a statement. "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." 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."

Japan is one of many Grand Prix which is under pressure with Bernie Ecclestone looking to go to new markets willing to pay his extortionate rates to host Grand Prix. South Korea is one of the nearby places which is looking to get a Grand Prix and the demise of the Japanese Grand Prix would be an ideal opportunity to get their slot.

It’s a big shame that yet another great and historic Grand Prix is probably falling by the wayside for heartless, soulless races to empty stands. With the British and Italians the Japanese are the most well informed and passionate fans. Not to mention having a huge car industry. But above all we need a Japanese Grand Prix, where else do you get history like it or races like it. Prost and Senna made it their own and iconic images or them battling and taking championships there make up Formula One’s history. Which in turn makes Formula One what it is today. Bernie needs to remember that and stop thinking about his bank balance. Formula One is still a sport afterall.