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Toyota Confirm Axe of Fuji Speedway Likely

After Great Britain and Germany, Japan is also on the verge of losing their spot inside the 2010 Formula One calendar. Part of the alternative deal with the FIA for the hosting of the Japanese Grand Prix, Fuji Speedway are reportedly revising their programme for next year.

If rumors about it have surfaced in the media in recent days – although the first ones appeared a few months ago – Toyota have now confirmed Fuji walking away from the 2010 calendar is a possibility. The Japanese car maker is currently owning the circuit located in the foothills of Mount Fuji west of Tokyo.

It's true that (Fuji Speedway) is making various considerations regarding its hosting of the event next year,” confirmed a Toyota spokesman. Further details on that decision – when it will be for sure or why Toyota are considering this move, given the fact that they've already confirmed their presence in Formula One for at least until 2012 – were not disclosed by the spokesman.

Fuji Speedway was initially included in the Formula One calendar back in 2007, when it replaced Suzuka as host of the Japanese Grand Prix. At the end of 2008, Toyota agreed to sign up for an alternative deal with Suzuka, in order to host the Asian race once every two years.

According to the Japanese news agency Kyodo, it appears Fuji's pullout will be confirmed by Toyota during the month of July. The agency also revealed that this will not lead to Japan being scrapped from the F1 scheme, but that Honda's Suzuka circuit will become host of the Japanese GP year in and year out.
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