Switch on cards for Japanese Grand Prix

The Japanese Grand Prix will switch to Fuji in 2007, according to reports from Japan.

The Honda-owned Suzuka circuit currently hosts the race but Fuji owners Toyota are known to be keen on hosting a Formula One race a there was talk last year of a second Japanese race.

Reports from Japan today suggest Suzuka has lost its race, with the Yomiuri Shimbun newspaper claiming Formula One commercial rights holder Bernie Ecclestone has confirmed the deal.

But Ecclestone offered hope to Suzuka, suggesting a second race in Japan, as happened in the 1990s, could yet be arranged.

Suzuka president Ikuo Shimizu told Yomiuri Shimbun: “I’m not surprised at all. I’m going to keep on negotiating.”

Fuji hosted the first Japanese Grand Prix in 1976, when James Hunt clinched his only world championship in teaming rain.

However, Suzuka took over as the home of Formula One in Japan and has hosted the race since 1987.