Jan01

Suzuka in bid to retain Grand Prix

Toyota F1 car tests at Suzuka

Honda hopes Suzuka upgrades will quell Fuji bid.

Picture: Toyota F1

Honda has moved to secure the future of the Japanese F1 Grand Prix at its Suzuka track in the wake of fresh interest in the event from Fuji Speedway.

The Japanese motoring giants have pledged £18 million to upgrade the facility and hopes the improvements will keep the race at Suzuka when the current contract ends in 2006.

Work, which will be completed in time for this year's race, will be the first major overhaul at the circuit since it won the contract to host the Japanese Grand Prix in 1987. Paddock facilities will be upgraded while extra runoff will be added at fast corners. The quickest corners will also be widened, although this is not expected to require an alteration of the circuit's configuration.

Toyota has pledeged investment to its Fuji track to win back the Japanese GP, which it hosted in 1976 and 1977.


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