Motor racing-Japanese F1 race staying at Suzuka until 2029

Liberty Media

02/02/2024 08:52

Feb 2 (Reuters) - The Japanese Formula One Grand Prix
will stay at Honda-owned Suzuka until at least 2029 after
signing a five-year contract extension, Formula One said on
Friday.
    The race moves to a new April slot this year, as round four
between Australia and China, as part of Formula One's efforts to
have a more efficient flow of races and reduce the carbon
footprint with shorter freight distances.
    "Suzuka is a special circuit and part of the fabric of the
sport, so I am delighted that F1 will continue to race there
until at least 2029," F1 chief executive Stefano Domenicali said
in a statement.
    Suzuka is a challenging and hugely popular circuit with
drivers but its place on the calendar had been questioned with
talk of a street race in Osaka possibly taking its place.

 (Reporting by Alan Baldwin in London, editing by Peter
Rutherford)
 ((alan.baldwin@thomsonreuters.com; +442075427933;))