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[McLaren Fan]

From F1 Live:

Reports from Japan today claim that Toyota is considering axing next year’s Japanese Grand Prix scheduled to take place at Fuji Speedway.

The circuit, owned by the Japanese car giant, is said to be reviewing its plans to host the Grand Prix as the global recession continues to bite deeply into revenues of the major car makers.

The French AFP news agency claims that Toyota has neither confirmed nor denied the news first reported by Mainichi Shimbun.

Fuji Speedway hosted the Japanese Grand Prix in 2007 and 2008 with the race moving back to the Honda-owned Suzuka circuit this year. Toyota posted its first ever loss earlier this year.

Earl ALEXANDER
© CAPSIS International

Always disappointing to see businesses struggling, but Fuji won't be missed. Hopefully this will herald Suzuka's permanent return to the calendar.

[7UpJordan]

I wouldn't miss Fuji.

[cap-dude]

The japense GP might be at Suzuka every year then. I'm not complaining. In fact, I hope we never see Fuji again now.

[GarethStr]

Fingers crossed Fuji is off for good

[Denthúl]

Fuji isn't a bad circuit (certainly better some of the sterile tracks that have cropped up in recent years) and of the two races I've seen, both were great to watch. I wouldn't mind Fuji, although Suzuka is always going to be my first choice.

[myownalias]

I won't miss Fuji either; I'd rather have the uniqueness of Suzuka on the calendar; does bring up questions about Toyota's continence in F1 as well!

[darwin dali]

I won't miss Fuji either; I'd rather have the uniqueness of Suzuka on the calendar; does bring up questions about Toyota's continence in F1 as well!

Continence? May I suggest

[Rivelution]

Fuji is a good circuit but the problem is that Suzuka is just sooo much better. Much like Zolder and Spa.

[EwanM]

Fuji is a good circuit but the problem is that Suzuka is just sooo much better. Much like Zolder and Spa.

Exactly. If, say, the Fuji layout was in somewhere like China or Bahrain i'm sure it would be generally accepted as ok.

[myownalias]

I won't miss Fuji either; I'd rather have the uniqueness of Suzuka on the calendar; does bring up questions about Toyota's continence in F1 as well!

Continence? May I suggest

of course I meant continuance, damn the Firefox spellchecker!

[Rivelution]

Fuji is a good circuit but the problem is that Suzuka is just sooo much better. Much like Zolder and Spa.

Exactly. If, say, the Fuji layout was in somewhere like China or Bahrain i'm sure it would be generally accepted as ok.

[scotty]

Fuji pulls plug on Japanese GP

By Jonathan Noble Tuesday, July 7th 2009, 06:51 GMT

Fuji International Speedway has pulled the plug on hosting the Japanese Grand Prix in the future, track officials confirmed on Tuesday.

The circuit had been planning to share the event with Suzuka, having held the last two Japanese GPs, but the global economic downturn that has affected track owners Toyota has forced a rethink.

A statement on the circuit's website said that although planning had already been underway for the 2010 event, the track had no option but to abandon its plans.

"In view of the sharply deteriorating business conditions and few signs of a rapid economic recovery, we decided it would be extremely difficult to continue holding the F1 Japanese Grand Prix," said the statement.

Fuji returned to the F1 calendar in 2007, following huge efforts by Toyota to revamp the circuit.

Lewis Hamilton won that first event amid torrential conditions, while Fernando Alonso took a surprise win for Renault in last year's event following a chaotic first corner.

Fuji said its focus now would be on holding Formula Nippon and Super GT events.

Hiroaki Kato, president of the Fuji track, could not hide his disappointment at the decision that brings an early end to the track's return to the F1 schedule.

"After only having announced barely three years ago, in March 2006, that Fuji Speedway would hold the F1 Japanese Grand Prix, it is heart-wrenching that we were not able to avoid the decision to abandon our plans to hold the race from 2010," he said.

"To the people who attended the event at Fuji Speedway last year and the year before, to those who were looking forward to the event there in the future, and to all those locally and elsewhere who granted us their immense understanding and encouragement, I deeply apologize for a result not commensurate with your expectations.

"At the same time, I would like to express my heartfelt appreciation for your kind support.

"Fuji Speedway intends to devote itself with even greater intensity to promote motor sports. For this, we humbly seek your continued understanding."

Suzuka is due to hold this year's Japanese GP, and the future of the country's race will now depend on whether the track's owners Honda wish to bankroll the event in the future - having already pulled out of F1.

Toyota's decision to stop the bankrolling of the Fuji event, which Reuters has suggested was costing it around £12-£18 million GBP, come against the backdrop of the company expecting overall losses of £5.5 billion GBP in the business year to March 2010.

Well, it's been confirmed. I won't miss it too much if we now get Suzuka full time, but Fuji is still much better than several other tracks on the calendar, so... ah well.

[cap-dude]

Well, 2007, 2008 at Fuji. We can't deny that they left some good memories. Fuji did give us two classic races. But now I'll be looking forward to F1 back at Suzuka.

Still, I don't see why we can't just have two races at one country without a whole lot of fuss. Drop Hungary and Valencia. Then let Japan and Britan have two races. Everyones happy.

[Jamie]

Fuji? Really?
I actually cannot believe it, with me not being racist nor stereotypical. That Japanese or Chinese ( i always forget) are at the top spot for money etc. They have made nearly everything in our house! So i am surprised that the work Liquidation or bankruptcy has even leapt onto the world wide web, but i guarantee that they will not leave the F1 calender as they have Moto Gp there, Indy there and also F1, in which would bring in a few bob for there pockets.

[7UpJordan]

Bye bye Fuji. Long Live Suzuka!!!