Breaking: Suzuka To Continue As Part Of F1 Calendar Until At Least 2029

Friday, 02 February 2024 at 10:00

Updated at Friday, 02 February 2024 at 12:52

Suzuka Circuit extended its contract with Formula 1 to continue hosting the Japanese Grand Prix until at least 2029.

Suzuka is one of the most iconic F1 circuits. It is one of the tracks that F1 fans could not imagine being removed from the 24-race calendar.

The track itself is deemed one of the most challenging yet most enjoyable for F1 drivers. Similarly, the Japanese Grand Prix is a race that fans look forward to every single year.

One of Suzuka's most iconic sections is the "S Curves" section in the first sector. S Curves are so popular that another track in the F1 calendar - Circuit of the Americas was inspired to include something very similar to its 1st sector.

Some of the traditional tracks that do not have a long-term contract with F1 became endangered after the recent announcement of the addition of Madrid Circuit to the F1 calendar.

F1 will most probably not have more than 24 races in its calendar, and therefore, it became clear Madrid would replace some of the tracks that didn't secure a contract beyond 2026.

It surely comes as a relief to many F1 fans to hear that Suzuka will not be the circuit that gets removed from the Formula 1 calendar in 2026.

Suzuka is a track that used to be located at the end of the calendar, and a few Championship battles were decided here. However, the Japanese Grand Prix was moved to the first half of the season starting from 2024.

It has been moved to a slot in April, and the race here will take place between the Australian Grand Prix and the Canadian Grand Prix.

President and Representative Director of Honda Mobilityland Corporation - Tsuyoshi Saito said in relation to the extension of the contract with Suzuka Circuit:

"I am pleased that we will be able to continue hosting the Formula 1 Japanese Grand Prix at Suzuka Circuit from 2025 onwards. I would like to express our sincere gratitude to Mr. Stefano Domenicali and other related Formula 1 members."

"We will continue to work together with the local communities and government agencies, including Mie Prefecture and Suzuka City, so that Suzuka can continue to be loved by fans around the world and contribute to the prosperity of motorsports culture and industrial development."