Formula 1: Japanese Grand Prix to return to Suzuka through at least 2021
By Asher Fair
The Japanese Grand Prix is set to return to Suzuka International Racing Course through at least the 2021 Formula 1 season.
The contract for the Japanese Grand Prix was set to expire after this year’s running of the race in early October, but it has been announced that the race will be returning to the Formula 1 schedule next season.
In fact, the Japanese Grand Prix is set to return to Suzuka International Racing Course on a new three-year contract that runs through at least the 2021 Formula 1 season, as Liberty Media and Suzuka officials reached a deal that was announced Friday morning.
The 18-turn, 3.609-mile (5.807-kilometer) road course in Suzuka, Mie Prefecture, Japan began hosting the Japanese Grand Pix in the 1987 season. It hosted the race for 20 consecutive seasons from 1987 to 2006.
More from Formula One
- Formula 1: Top Red Bull threat identified for 2024
- Formula 1: Why the Max Verstappen retirement obsession?
- Formula 1: Williams ‘mistake’ hints Logan Sargeant’s future
- Formula 1 awaiting key confirmation for 2024 season
- Formula 1: The ‘championship’ Max Verstappen only leads by 3 points
In the 2007 season, the 16-turn, 2.835-mile (4.563-kilometer) Fuji Speedway in Oyama, Suntō District, Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan replaced Suzuka as the host of the Japanese Grand Prix.
Fuji Speedway also hosted the Japanese Grand Prix in the 2008 season, but in the 2009 season, Suzuka replaced it as the host of the race once again. From the 2009 season until now, Suzuka has hosted the race each year, and with a new contract having been confirmed, it appears set to do so for several more years.
This year’s Japanese Grand Prix is scheduled to take place on Sunday, October 7, and it is set to be broadcast live on ESPN2 beginning at 1:10 a.m. ET. Next year’s Japanese Grand Prix is scheduled to take place on Sunday, October 13. The dates for the race in the 2020 and 2021 seasons have not yet been confirmed.
Here is what Formula 1 commercial chief Sean Bratches had to say about the Japanese Grand Prix being set to return to the schedule at Suzuka for at least the next three seasons, according to Crash.net.
"“The renewal of the Japanese Grand Prix and the confirmation of the German Grand Prix are both examples of our direction to place fans at the heart of Formula 1, a vision shared with all our promoters. The successful extension of the Fan Zones at the race circuits, coupled with the colourful city F1 Festivals in London, Shanghai, Marseille, Milan and Miami, prove there is a great appetite for all aspects of Formula 1.”"
Next. Top 10 Formula 1 drivers of all-time. dark
Are you excited that Suzuka is set to host the Japanese Grand Prix through at least the 2021 Formula 1 season?