Does Suzuka have to fear for its Formula 1 grand prix and make way for the next street circuit? This scenario has already played out this week in Spain, where Madrid will have a grand prix race for at least ten years from 2026, while the future of the traditional circuit in Barcelona is unclear.
With Jeddah, Miami and Las Vegas, Formula 1 has shown in which direction the races will be orientated in the future, and the next candidate is already knocking on the door in Japan: Osaka is currently pinning its hopes on being part of the racing calendar in the future.
Rumours have been circulating for several months that Japan’s third-largest city is considering a Formula 1 bid, but now the plans have been confirmed: City officials are looking into what is feasible.
The chairman of the Osaka Tourism Bureau, Hiroshi Mizohata, has officially announced the intention to bid for Formula 1. A representative of the organisation spoke exclusively to Motorsport.com about the project, which includes a delegation visit to last year’s Singapore Grand Prix.
“Formula 1 will be the perfect catalyst for Osaka to become an international tourist city,” Mizohata said. “To achieve this, it is important to attract wealthy people from Europe, America and Australia.”
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“We also believe that Formula 1 will be the perfect catalyst for attracting luxury hotels and revitalising the night-time economy,” Mizohata continued. “I watched the Singapore Grand Prix and it was very different to what I had imagined Formula 1 would be like. There were live events and luxury brand business meetings were held in the nearby hotels.”
Although the project in Osaka is still in its infancy and no official negotiations on a racing contract have yet begun, initial contacts with Formula 1 employees are said to have already taken place to sound out the idea – which has encouraged the city to press ahead with its project.
Location and date still open
A final venue for the race itself has not yet been finalised, as those responsible in Osaka are still weighing up various options and nothing has been ruled out.
A road race through the city, a permanent race track in the nearby prefecture or a hybrid format around the Expo site on Yumeshima Island, which is due to be built by 2025, are all conceivable.
One factor to consider is funding, with Osaka having to look at how best to amortise the investment, which is likely to come from private funds rather than taxpayers’ money.
“The racetrack itself may be difficult to make profitable, but if you look at the economic impact on the city as a whole, I think it has potential,” added Mizohata, explaining that it would take many years before the project could be realised. “At this stage, I can’t say how many years from now we will realise it. I think it will be a long-term project. I heard that it took a long time in Singapore for the event to be held for the first time, so I don’t think it will be quick. But if there’s a chance, I’ll give it a go.”
Are two races in Japan possible?
Any progress on the Osaka idea would inevitably raise questions about the future of the current Japanese Grand Prix venue at Suzuka – just as Madrid has questioned the long-term viability of Barcelona. But Osaka realises that any event she gets will be a supplement rather than a replacement for Suzuka.
“I’m aiming for coexistence and mutual enrichment with Suzuka,” Mizohata emphasised. “I think it would be great to hold two races in Japan, which is an automotive superpower.” The current contract with Suzuka for the Japanese Grand Prix expires at the end of this year.
