Will Suzuka Make Way For Osaka?

So Suzuka is going or is it anything but that? First up, some background story.

It was back in the year 2019, when Formula 1 first made news of a rather interesting kind with regard to the Japanese Grand Prix.

Apparently, it was back in February of that year where news hit mainstream publications and quickly became widespread about then Mayor of Osaka wanting to host a Formula 1 Grand Prix in the city.

As a matter of fact, none other than Japan Today had stated in no uncertain terms the following statement of (actual) intent of Mr. Yoshumura:

“We would very much like to realise the Osaka F1 Grand Prix” on Yumeshima Island in Osaka Bay.”

One did begin to think, unless very much mistaken, that this would become a reality one day and that there would be an additional or a special Japanese Grand Prix held in that very city.

However, that very year, one saw a Formula 1 race at the iconic and the truly legendary Suzuka-bound Japanese Grand Prix. It was, lest it is forgotten, an event won by Valtteri Bottas of Mercedes (in what was yet another year of Mercedes dominance) with Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel coming second. The other Mercedes driver, Lewis Hamilton, world champion that very season and not for the first time either, stood third.

But then, as they said, life moved on. In the Covid pandemic years, Japanese Grand Prix was even cancelled much like a race in Singapore and usual business prevailed. And that happened on two separate, if also, consecutive occasions (the 2019 and 2020-Suzuka bound Grands Prix stood cancelled).

Is change on the cards at Suzuka?

Normal business resumed at Suzuka only from the onset of 2022, wherein Red Bull’s Max Verstappen clinched victory only to repeat the effort the following year.

But having told the above, it now seems that a familiar storm is brewing with reference to the Japanese Grand Prix with Osaka circuit coming into the main fray once again.

Many have already clung to the belief that Suzuka is going to lose its spot as the home of the Japanese GP and that the next great shift is just around the corner with F1 about to, in all likelihood, going to host a race at Osaka.

That told, the following key insights spring to life with regard to information published on F1-data.com:

“Osaka’s Tourism Bureau has shown interest in hosting a race in the city itself. Osaka’s governor, Hirofumi Yoshimura, is also interested in the event. Since the city does not have a dedicated circuit near it, the Tourism Bureau will create a street circuit around the city using public roads.

The Japanese city’s Tourism Bureau is also holding an Osaka/Kansai Expo in 2025, which aims to bring sports and tourism together. Hence, they are aiming to hold an F1 race in 2025 to further add to the Expo.”

Therefore, the key question still remains the following concerning Suzuka

Will the legendary Suzuka, where heroes like Senna won his maiden title at the very venue (circa 1988) and where the triumvirate of greats in Vettel, Alonso, and Hamilton have roared supreme in the past, lose its iconic place on the F1 calendar?

So far, no official confirmation is announced. But it ‘could’ be that change is on its way. After all, that is akin to life, also the essence of Formula 1.