Fuji Speedway to stage F1 Japanese Grand Prix
Toyota Motor said it had received the green light to stage the Formula One Japanese Grand Prix from next year at its renovated Fuji Speedway, in a boost in its showdown with rival automaker Honda.
It was a long-awaited decision for Toyota since its Fuji International Speedway completed the upgrade of the race course on the foot of Mount Fuji a year ago.
Formula One Administration Limited chairman Bernie Ecclestone said that Fuji Speedway, "the brand new venue nestled at the foot of the most majestic Mount Fuji, will be the new home of Japanese F1 Grand Prix," according to Toyota.
"We also have a good expectation that the F1 event there would be the opening of new era of Formula One history," he was quoted as saying in a Toyota statement.
Toyota enlarged the paddock of the track to meet F1 specifications, winning approval of a "Grade One" licence by the International Automobile Federation in January last year.
Toyota, which holds 93.4 percent shares of Fuji International Speedway Co. Ltd., and Honda intensified their motor sports rivalry in 2002 when Toyota made its F1 debut as a full works team.
Honda has its own circuits at Suzuka, 300 kilometres (185 miles) southwest of Tokyo, which has the rights to stage the Japanese Grand Prix until this year, and at Twin Ring Motegi, 100 kilometres (62 miles) north of Tokyo.
It remains possible that Japan will stage two Grand Prix events next year, with one going to each automaker. No date was immediately announced for the Grand Prix at Fuji Speedway.
Honda, which quit F1 racing in 1992 after eight successful years as an engine supplier, made a comeback in 2000 with an engine for the British American Racing outfit.
Honda started the championship this season as a full constructor, while former F1 driver Aguri Suzuki joined the tour in a new all-Japanese team with a Honda engine.
The Fuji Speedway opened in 1965 and staged two F1 races in 1976 and 1977.
The latter year saw a spectator and steward killed when a Ferrari driven by Gilles Villeneuve ploughed into the crowd following a shunt from Sweden's Ronnie Peterson in a Tyrrel.
AFP
