A return for Suzuka?

23/05/2007

Among the many frustrations of Formula One fans is the feeling that nobody listens to them, far less gives a damn about their opinions.

In recent years the FIA has run surveys allowing fans to voice their opinions on a range of issues relating to their favourite sport.

Imagine the fans' frustration therefore, when, having voted Spa Francorchamps as one of their favourite circuits, the track was promptly dropped from the 2006 calendar. Subsequently, in what is widely perceived to be a political decision, another fan favourite, Suzuka, was dropped from the 2007 calendar, in favour of the (Toyota owned) Fuji Speedway.

Now, however, according to reports in Germany, F1 could return to Suzuka as early as 2008 under the guise of the Pacific Grand Prix, a race last held in 1995 at the Tanaka International Circuit (TI) at Aida.

According to a Pitpass source MobilityLand (Suzuka Circuit) has admitted that; "negotiations with the FIA and FOA continue in order to restore Suzuka to the championship in the near future".

The return to the calendar of the (Honda owned) Suzuka track would delight race fans, drivers and the owners of Formula One, since it could mean another promoter willing to pump millions into the sport's coffers.

We wonder if there's floodlighting in place.