62 replies to this topic

[stevvy1986]

From Autosport: http://www.autosport...rt.php/id/75665

The Fuji Speedway circuit may give up next year's Japanese Grand Prix due to financial reasons.

[kar]

From Autosport: http://www.autosport...rt.php/id/75665

The Fuji Speedway circuit may give up next year's Japanese Grand Prix due to financial reasons.

Well I'm not one to say I told you so. Well, actually who am I kidding, yes I am.

But I predicted this here and here a few days ago :-)

Edited by kar, 29 May 2009 - 08:37.

[Music Man]

If that means race in Suzuka every year, than all I can say is:

[kar]

If that means race in Suzuka every year, than all I can say is:

Sadly, I wouldn't bet on it. Just means Bernie has an open slot for the Pyongyang Grand Prix (to be the dramatic first night race held under radioactive glow).

[Sakae]

I am sorry about Fuji. I am moving into nearby area, and now my hopes to have it in my backyard are squashed, although Suzuka is probably more entertaining circuit out of those two.

Edited by MiPe, 29 May 2009 - 09:49.

[johnap]

The new Fuji is dull and uninspiring, so I'm glad to see it go back to Suzuka permanently.

They should try and get the Asia Le Mans Series to run a 1000km race at Fuji though, it would be good to revive that event.

[JPW]

With Honda out and Toyota almost out that's no surprise.

I'd would like to think bye bye Japan, welcome Imola but alas the Pyongyang Grand Prix would be more probable.

[kar]

I don't see what basis you all have for the assumption that Suzuka will be back as a permanent fixture?

[Orin]

If that means race in Suzuka every year, than all I can say is:

Ditto.

[D.M.N.]

If that means race in Suzuka every year, than all I can say is:

Agreed.

I definitely don't want to see Japan off the calendar.

[wj_gibson]

Agreed.

I definitely don't want to see Japan off the calendar.

There was some speculation earlier in the year that the days of the Japanese GP may be numbered - though I can't quite remember who wrote that (might have been Richard Williams in a Guardian season preview). It's a bit like the German situation - neither circuit seems able to afford to run the race every year.

[Music Man]

I don't see what basis you all have for the assumption that Suzuka will be back as a permanent fixture?

We can hope, can't we

It would be sad to see Suzuka also lose the race. I can't recall single dull race on that track.

Edited by Music Man, 29 May 2009 - 09:48.

[brakedistance]

Grand Prix calendar 2015:

All races cancelled as governments have no money to fortunes for races nobody wants to go to.

Williams lead a new category with the following circuits - Monaco, Silverstone, Istanbul Park, Monza, Imola, Suzuka, Spa, Watkins Glen, Interlagos and Adelaide. The racing world rejoices.

Oh, to dream...

[Dalton007]

I don't see what basis you all have for the assumption that Suzuka will be back as a permanent fixture?

Well, with the recent upgrades I see it returning as a permanent fixture unless Honda decide they can't afford to run it.

[teejay]

Grand Prix calendar 2015:

All races cancelled as governments have no money to fortunes for races nobody wants to go to.

Williams lead a new category with the following circuits - Monaco, Silverstone, Istanbul Park, Monza, Imola, Suzuka, Spa, Watkins Glen, Interlagos and Adelaide. The racing world rejoices.

Oh, to dream...

Why wait so long?

[wj_gibson]

Well, with the recent upgrades I see it returning as a permanent fixture unless Honda decide they can't afford to run it.

It's perhaps worth noting that Imola undertook its own upgrades with the expectation of returning as a permanent fixture on the F1 calendar, only to remain absent with little apparent prospect of coming back.

I apprciate that it's a different situation with Suzuka in that it isn't functioning as a 2nd GP in a single country in the manner that Imola was, but even so...

[kar]

Grand Prix calendar 2015:

All races cancelled as governments have no money to fortunes for races nobody wants to go to.

Williams lead a new category with the following circuits - Monaco, Silverstone, Istanbul Park, Monza, Imola, Suzuka, Spa, Watkins Glen, Interlagos and Adelaide. The racing world rejoices.

Oh, to dream...

Oh yes that would be perfect!

[dabrasco]

Pyonyang GP, Baghdad GP, Tehran GP, GP in backyard of russian billionaire cos he can afford it

Edited by dabrasco, 29 May 2009 - 10:31.

[pingu666]

i quite liked fuji :x

[Henrytheeigth]

Any Doctors around here? Can't anyone surgecally remove Bernies greed from him? Please say yes!

[ensign14]

Hey, a Pyongyang GP would be brilliant, the streets are wide enough to overtake, there's lots of bridges to race over, a little tunnel near the May Day Stadium and the Tower of Juche Idea would be a tremendous backdrop. Only problem would be the tram lines down Kyonghung and Chongyon Streets, but those would be straights nearly 3 miles long. Like Indy run through buildings.

[Hames Junt]

This is great news, I reckon Suzuka will sign a long term deal now.

Here are some pics of the new Suzuka.....















Very impressive! A great circuit with modern facilities... it's all Bernie asks for!

Pics courtesy of http://suzukakaisyu.blog123.fc2.com/

Edited by Hames Junt, 29 May 2009 - 11:44.

[stevvy1986]

I presume there havent been any alterations to the track layout?

[nada12]

I won't shed a tear if F1 doesn't go back to Fuji, that's for sure. As others have said, I don't that means a permanent return to Suzuka though, they're likely in the same financial boat.

[Seanspeed]

I presume there havent been any alterations to the track layout?

No, I dont believe so.

[Blythy]

Sadly, I wouldn't bet on it. Just means Bernie has an open slot for the Pyongyang Grand Prix (to be the dramatic first night race held under radioactive glow).

Nah, they're gonna put it in the DMZ, skirt round the mines. I bet piquet sets off the first one.

[Blythy]

This is great news, I reckon Suzuka will sign a long term deal now.

Here are some pics of the new Suzuka.....

Very impressive! A great circuit with modern facilities... it's all Bernie asks for!

Pics courtesy of http://suzukakaisyu.blog123.fc2.com/

what... big run off areas on the outside of turn 1? that takes away half the challenge! It's meant to be THE gravel pit of dooom!

[Hames Junt]

what... big run off areas on the outside of turn 1? that takes away half the challenge! It's meant to be THE gravel pit of dooom!

The run off areas look the same as 2006 to me. Also the layout has not been touched, although it does look as if the track tarmac has been re-laid.

[Blythy]

The run off areas look the same as 2006 to me. Also the layout has not been touched, although it does look as if the track tarmac has been re-laid.

note the tarmac around turns 1/2 (and the astro).

[Scotracer]

Great news - I hated Fuji.

Suzuka is where they all belong.

[kar]

Great news - I hated Fuji.

Suzuka is where they all belong.

Yet they'll end up at some autodrome in Turkmenistan instead.

[D.M.N.]

If only Silverstone got the upgrade it deserves.

[Hames Junt]

note the tarmac around turns 1/2 (and the astro).

Oh sorry, I thought you were implying that the run off had been extended, as well as being tarmaced!

[27GV]

Hopefully that means Suzuka stays permanently. Knowing Bernie it will be scrapped for the Oilstan GP though.

[Alonzo]

Great news - I hated Fuji.

Suzuka is where they all belong.

+1

So long Fuji

[raiseyourfistfor]

what... big run off areas on the outside of turn 1? that takes away half the challenge! It's meant to be THE gravel pit of dooom!

I agree, very disappointing

[nissan_gtp]

If that means race in Suzuka every year, than all I can say is:

absolutely

[primer]

Suzuka > Fuji. No loss.

[Racer Joe]

I realise there is that thing called the Global Financial Crisis going on.

But it still annoys me that Fuji (Toyota) yanked the Japanese GP away from Suzuka only to give indications now it want to give it up after 2 years.

[Sakae]

I wonder of Toyota is dropping Fuji event as a cut in their spending, instead pulling out of F1 altogether.

[Hames Junt]

Confirmed http://www.autosport...rt.php/id/76751

Let's hope Suzuka pick it up as there are no real other alternatives.

[One]

Confirmed http://www.autosport...rt.php/id/76751

Let's hope Suzuka pick it up as there are no real other alternatives.

There is no good reason that Suzuka will pick up ALL Japanese races from now on in this economic situation. On the contrary I believe Suzuka will not be able to pay the cash which FOM is asking for. So unfortunately I rather preparemyself for the news reporting that there will be No Japanese GP for years to come.

I am more concerned actually that Now Germnay will not mak ANY efforts to put the GP back on schedule. So as France, I assume may other tracks where economy turnes badly. FOM need to support this situation with other business model. Yes.

[D.M.N.]

Please make Suzuka permanent every year. Please.

[Hames Junt]

There is no good reason that Suzuka will pick up ALL Japanese races from now on in this economic situation. On the contrary I believe Suzuka will not be able to pay the cash which FOM is asking for. So unfortunately I rather preparemyself for the news reporting that there will be No Japanese GP for years to come.

I am more concerned actually that Now Germnay will not mak ANY efforts to put the GP back on schedule. So as France, I assume may other tracks where economy turnes badly. FOM need to support this situation with other business model. Yes.

I've got a feeling it will make way for next years Korean race.

[One]

I've got a feeling it will make way for next years Korean race.

I hope so for you, but Korea is not doing too well neither to afford races there. Perhaps China only at the asian continent, perhaps no Australia neither. No France, No Germany, No USA, No middle east... I mean.... where then?

[Josta]

I hope so for you, but Korea is not doing too well neither to afford races there. Perhaps China only at the asian continent, perhaps no Australia neither. No France, No Germany, No USA, No middle east... I mean.... where then?

Bulgaria.

[alfista]

I hope so for you, but Korea is not doing too well neither to afford races there. Perhaps China only at the asian continent, perhaps no Australia neither. No France, No Germany, No USA, No middle east... I mean.... where then?

China had strong concerns over their F1 future so that's not overly certain. Hungary is a state-supported GP but state itself seems to be IMF-supported. Turkey is very likely out as well.
What we kind of have are Malaysia, Bahrain, Abu Dhabi (oil comes out of terrain there), Monaco (no fee), Britain (errr...), Belgium (is it really trouble-free?), Monza (minimum fee), Valencia, Barcelona (if they can carry on with momentum), Singapore, Brazil. New ones: Korea, India, Russia?
As we see now, Bernie's business model was no more than a blatant pyramid scheme. How is he going to pay teams next year?

[One]

China had strong concerns over their F1 future so that's not overly certain. Hungary is a state-supported GP but state itself seems to be IMF-supported. Turkey is very likely out as well.
What we kind of have are Malaysia, Bahrain, Abu Dhabi (oil comes out of terrain there), Monaco (no fee), Britain (errr...), Belgium (is it really trouble-free?), Monza (minimum fee), Valencia, Barcelona (if they can carry on with momentum), Singapore, Brazil. New ones: Korea, India, Russia?
As we see now, Bernie's business model was no more than a blatant pyramid scheme. How is he going to pay teams next year?

Well the pricing of GP is now in question as Fuji drops the ball. Now more can say that ... due to this current economic climate and so forth. That is the concern. I think that Bernie-FOM-CVC knows how to handle the situation tho. Bu the worst case senario is that now Bernie being not fully welcomed by the politics. Who else can do the work besides him?

Edited by One, 07 July 2009 - 09:27.

[alfista]

Who else can do the work besides him?

Maybe Bernie simply paved a way for new GPs with his recent statements. Lukashenka, Mugabe, Morales, Chavez, Ahmadinejad, Kim and Castro are perhaps waiting a call

[Orin]

There is no good reason that Suzuka will pick up ALL Japanese races from now on in this economic situation. On the contrary I believe Suzuka will not be able to pay the cash which FOM is asking for. So unfortunately I rather preparemyself for the news reporting that there will be No Japanese GP for years to come.

I am more concerned actually that Now Germnay will not mak ANY efforts to put the GP back on schedule. So as France, I assume may other tracks where economy turnes badly. FOM need to support this situation with other business model. Yes.

Yes, I share that opinion (regarding Germany too). Fuji was losing around 12M GBP annually, that's ridiculous given the level of support for F1 in Japan. F1 needs to get to the position whereby circuits can at least expect to break even. So much money sploshing around, yet little or none of it goes to those putting on the show.