The Japanese Grand Prix will move from its regular late-season slot to a new date in spring in the future, a local politician has claimed.
Keiji Furuya, a member of Japan’s house of representatives, claimed on social media next year’s Japanese Grand Prix will take place the week after Formula E’s new round in Tokyo.
The FIA announced yesterday the inaugural Tokyo EPrix will take place on March 30th, indicating the Japanese Grand Prix will be held on April 7th. A spokesperson for F1 declined to comment on the claimed date change for the race, which will be held in September this year.
Saudi Arabia’s Jeddah Corniche Circuit is expected to take over from Bahrain as the opening round on the 2024 F1 calendar. The promoters of the two Middle Eastern races wish to hold their events outside of the Ramadan religious period, which occurs between March 10th and April 9th next year.
F1 is also working to rearrange races in order to reduce the amount of travel to ease the strain on teams and reduce emissions, in line with its target of becoming a net zero emitter of carbon by 2030. Moving the Japanese round from the latter half of the year may allow it to be twinned with other flyaway races at the beginning of the season, such as the Australian Grand Prix.
Next year’s Japanese GP is the last on the Suzuka circuit’s current contract. However the Mobilityland company which runs Suzuka is owned by Honda, which is likely to continue supporting the race while it participates in the championship. Honda resumed its branding of Red Bull’s power units after its departure at the end of 2021, and will supply its motors to Aston Martin from 2026.
The Suzuka area sees average temperatures of 10-19C in April, with average monthly rainfall of 142mm. This year’s race will take place in September, which on average is wetter, seeing 213mm of rain, but also warmer, with temperatures of 21-28C.
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