Official: Fuji is Out of the 2010 F1 Calendar

Fuji Speedway is officially out of the Formula One calendar for the upcoming season. After several rumors about Toyota's scrapping the Mount Fuji-based circuit from their F1 programme have surfaced in the media in recent months, it was now confirmed that the 2010 Japanese GP will not be held at the aforementioned venue.

Unsurprisingly, the reason for Fuji's scrap from the 2010 schedule was Toyota's financial struggle in the current economic environment. Being already forced to invest in their F1 operations for the upcoming 5 years – as stated in the FIA-FOTA peace treaty a few weeks ago – the Japanese manufacturer gave up on financing the Fuji Speedway for the hosting of their home GP.

“We decided it would be extremely difficult to continue holding the Japanese grand prix ... in view of sharply deteriorating business conditions and few signs of a rapid economic recovery,” red the statement from the Fuji Speedway late yesterday.

Under the circumstances, the 2010 Japanese Grand Prix will return to Honda's long-time circuit Suzuka. The two venues were part of an alternative plan to host the race once every two years, but Suzuka will now take over from next year onwards.

Another possibility for Bernie Ecclestone's Formula One Management would be bring back the Canadian Grand Prix for 2010. Recent reports in the North American media have shown that Circuit Gilles Villeneuve will likely return to F1 next year.

Fuji Speedway is the second circuit that was initially scheduled to host a Formula One grand prix on an alternative scheme that will be unable to follow through their F1 commitments. Hockenheim have also announced they will no longer benefit from governmental support from 2010 onwards and will, consequently, miss the F1 calendar next year.