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Formula One, also known F1 and referred to officially as the FIA Formula One World Championship, is the highest class of single seater auto racing sanctioned by the FIA. The “formula” designation in the name refers to a set of rules with which all participants’ cars must comply. The F1 season consists of a series of races, known as Grand Prix , held on purpose-built circuits and public roads. Formula One car is considered to be the fastest circuit-racing cars in the world.

The first formula one race in Japan was scheduled in 1976 at the Fuji Speedway. From 1987 to 2006, the Japan Grand Prix was held annually at the Suzuka Circuit, prior to moving back to its original venue at Fuji Speedway in 2007. From 2008, the grand prix was planned to be held alternately at the Fuji Speedway and Suzuka circuits, but Fuji Speedway withdrew as host in 2009.

In 1976 at the Fuji Speedway, 40 miles west of Yokohama, the race featured the title decider between James Hunt and Niki Lauda run in monsoon conditions. Due to health issues, Lauda quitted the race. Though, he won the race the following year, but the event was marked by tragedy. The race killed two of the spectator. Due to an accident between Gilles Villeneuve and Ronnie Peterson, the race was out of schedule for ten years. Following this, the race was absent from the calendar for a decade.

In 1987, F1 returned to Japan at a new venue, the Suzuka circuit south west of Nagoya which is the only figure-of-eight circuit on the calendar. Suzuka was designed by Dutchman John Hugenholtz, and belongs to Honda. Actually Honda at the beginning took this race track to make tests.

In 2007 (though announced in late 2006) Fuji held the event in 2007 and 2008 but then it was decided that the race should alternate between the two tracks. However, in 2009, due to global economic crisis, Fuji’s owners Toyota refused to host another Grand prix and decided that the Japanese Grand Prix would not return to Fuji Speedway in 2010 and beyond.

The Japanese Grand Prix has been known as thrilled and notorious event, and the reason being, it has seen a big number of Championship crowns being won and lost. The next Japan Grand Prix is scheduled to be held at Suzuka on October 7, 2012.