24 replies to this topic

[Group B]

http://news.bbc.co.u...one/4303947.stm

What do we think folks - good idea or bad idea? Personally I quite like it.

[cheesy poofs]

I don't really mind it, but I do not know if drivers and teams alike will be happy to leave the much-appreciated Suzuka circuit for Fuji.

[Memory Loss]

Suzuka is one of the last truly great circuits left on the F1 calendar... Surely removing it to make way for this would be a very bad idea, considering the emasculated nature of modern F1. Although, I suppose you could argue that the mountainous scenery of Fuji is a lot more picturesque than a great, big Ferris Wheel, however.

I suppose they could alternate between Suzuka and Fuji on a yearly basis. Would be an appropriate compromise.

[Sakae]

This one is a difficult one. Suzuka is being cherrished as one of the top tracks on the calendar. I understand Toyota's sentiment, but unless they want to have 2 races in Japan (or alternate races), this is almost a subject which those guys have to sort out themselves. (I wouldn't mind having them both, in lieu of Russian' wet dreams BE seems to be having these days.

[Al.]

Well it has got a slow corner onto the longest straight with a slow corner at the end of it.
That is good for overtaking. Atlas Gallery

[troyf1]

I always liked Fuji but it's really hard to top a track like Suzuka. Good luck to Fuji

[Group B]

Hmm, the loss of Suzuka is a good point; I was rather fond of getting back to the mountains and overlooked the loss of a great track that would result. That being the case it's a very difficult call; if only we could have both and ditch one of the crap tracks. :

[StickShift]

I think moving the Japanese Grand Prix from Suzuka to Fuji would be a horrible move. The Suzuka circuit is one of the most challenging and unique circuits left on the calender: From turn 1, to the esses, to the Degner curves, Spoon, and the 130R, no other circuit has similar corners. The Fuji circuit is just another Tilke circuit filled with: A twisty switchback, a long straight, a hairpin, and a myriad of medium speed sweepers.

It is clear which circuit is better. Now we just need to figure out who is willing to pay Bernie more for hosting the Japanese Grand Prix. Honda, or Toyota...

p.s. Fuji doesn't even have it's 'last corner' anymore. The track is soulless without it.

[HBoss]

Suzuka is great, I can't see a reason to drop it.

[Sakae]

Suzuka: Japanese GP
Mt. Fuji: Asian GP

[fifi]

Originally posted by MiPe
Suzuka: Japanese GP
Mt. Fuji: Asian GP

yeah have some sort of asian or pacific GP at Mt Fuiji rahter than take away suzuka

[BorderReiver]

Don't drop Suzuka. Have a "Pacific Grand Prix" at Fuji by all means, it worked okayish at Aida for a a couple of years afterall.

It's a shame Fuji has been butchered aswell, though IIRC we can't blame Tilke for this one, wasn't the circuit altered a long time ago after Villenueuve and Peterson tangled and spectators were killed?

[Rob G]

Fuji has never been one of my favorite tracks, but a Pacific GP there would be fine with me. Just don't drop Suzuka! It's a unique, exhilarating track.

[Rene]

Originally posted by MiPe
Suzuka: Japanese GP
Mt. Fuji: Asian GP

Thats exactly what will end up happening after Bernie has gotten a tonne of money from both....

[-RM-]

BorderReiver:
Yes it was. But do not worry, as of 2005 it is a Tilke redesigned track!

http://www.silhouet....ks/fuji2002.jpg

[BorderReiver]

Originally posted by -RM-
BorderReiver:
Yes it was. But do not worry, as of 2005 it is a Tilke redesigned track!

http://www.silhouet....ks/fuji2002.jpg

Cheers -RM-! You live and learn!

[Sakae]

Originally posted by -RM-
BorderReiver:
Yes it was. But do not worry, as of 2005 it is a Tilke redesigned track!

http://www.silhouet....ks/fuji2002.jpg

Car set-up similar to Indy?

[themark]

Suzuka is the more challenging track for the drivers, but Fuji is a much more convenient track for everything else. Having gone to Suzuka the last 5 years in a row (yes, during the typhoon too), I would welcome a closer circuit. The Fuji track is much easier to get to, and you don't need to camp in the parking lot from a lack of hotels. I think you can be sure that Toyota are willing to pump a lot of money into Bernie to get the GP, why else would they buy Fuji Speedway and update it if not to get the GP in 2006 (Suzuka's contract ends in 2005). There's no way that Japan will be hosting two races when all these new circuits are opening everywhere. I think Suzuka is on the way out, and Honda only have themselves to blame. When it comes to fan access, it's a nightmare. Even the drivers have to fly in by Helicopter every morning because there's no place for them to stay at the circuit. Support races? Watching Civics race around for 15 minutes... what a laugh. There's no secondary paddock! I'd at least like to see Formula Nippon for all the money I spent getting there.

As a fan who attends Suzuka every year, I say... bring on Fuji. Maybe then Honda will get it's head out of it's arse. :

[JForce]

Fuji blows from the looks of it.

Suzuka is my favourite track

[Sakae]

Having Mt Fuji in your backyard doesn't hurt, I guess.

[mark f1]

They showed Ralf going around Fuji last night on TV in Tokyo. They said that they hoped to bring some competition to where the GP is held in Japan.

The circuit looked pretty good, very wide and super smooth surface. Some of the corners definitely had that Tilke look to them, especially the wide hairpins with a very small apex. (ala Hockenheim)

Wouldn't be a bad thing to alternate with Suzuka, closer to Tokyo too!

[black magic]

had to laugh. first thought was by god looks just like tilke track then saw BR post.

[HSJ]

Add Fuji, but keep Suzuka. I would not trade Suzuka for any other track really. Make it 20 GPs, less testing.

[IMHO]

Suzuka might be an exciting and demanding track for the drivers, but most races there are boring and processional. Not many overtaking opportunities.

[macori]

I tell you few things.
In fact, Fuji is always fogey and foggy.
Imagine that F1 car just runs 1500 metres straight in a dark fog, nothing happen.
Most slippy and sleepy circuit is Fuji speedway.