Former Formula 1 driver and current member of Japan’s House of Representatives Sakon Yamamoto has warned that greater and more structured government support may be needed to secure the future of the Japanese Grand Prix at Suzuka beyond 2029. Suzuka’s current Formula 1 hosting agreement runs until that year, but increasing international competition for places on the calendar means Japan cannot assume its position is guaranteed.
Sakon Yamamoto, who raced in Formula 1 for Super Aguri, Spyker and HRT, raised the issue publicly through his web magazine, Yamamoto Sakon NEWS. Honda Mobility Land, the private organiser of the Japanese Grand Prix, is already working on several initiatives aimed at extending the agreement. However, the landscape is becoming increasingly competitive as Formula 1 continues its global expansion.
One development attracting particular attention is Formula 1’s 10-year agreement with Rwanda. With the African project emerging around the period when Suzuka’s existing contract expires, some observers on social media have raised concerns that Japan could eventually face greater pressure over its place on the calendar. Competition is not limited to Africa either, with Osaka having previously expressed interest in hosting a Grand Prix while other circuits and cities around the world continue to pursue Formula 1 events.
Suzuka’s success does not guarantee the Japanese GP future
This year’s Japanese Grand Prix at Suzuka was an extraordinary commercial success, attracting a total of 315,000 spectators over the three days. Of those, 105,000 travelled from overseas, while grandstand tickets sold out almost immediately.
Despite those impressive numbers, Sakon Yamamoto believes the future should not be taken for granted. Suzuka remains one of Formula 1’s best-established venues, with its current agreement running through 2029, and readers can explore the circuit’s history, records and latest information in the ScuderiaFans Japanese Grand Prix and Suzuka guide.
The Japanese Grand Prix is currently organised and financed by a private company. As a result, the resources available are more limited than in countries where governments and public institutions provide significant direct support, helping to fund infrastructure and deliver major international events at extremely high organisational standards.
According to Sakon Yamamoto, that difference could become decisive over the medium term as Formula 1 receives increasing interest from governments, cities and promoters willing to invest heavily in securing a place on the calendar.
Sakon Yamamoto wants the Japanese GP included in Japan’s growth strategy
Sakon Yamamoto believes Japan should stop viewing its Formula 1 Grand Prix purely as a motor race and instead position the event as part of the country’s broader economic growth strategy.
“Formula 1 today is gaining popularity around the world. As a former F1 driver, I am happy to see this expansion. At the same time, however, we must think about the future of the Japanese Grand Prix,” he wrote.
He highlighted the race’s economic and tourism value, pointing to the scale and international reach of this year’s event.
“Formula 1 is one of the world’s highest-level sports tourism events. A total of 315,000 people attended this year’s Japanese Grand Prix at Suzuka over three days, including 105,000 visitors from overseas.”
Sakon Yamamoto added: “Spectators from around the world generate not only tourism, accommodation and restaurant spending, but also international business exchanges and an increase in the brand value of cities. The Japanese Grand Prix is a valuable international asset for our country, capable of generating this type of value every year.”
His conclusion is that Formula 1 should therefore be considered within a much broader national framework.
“This is not simply a motor race, but an opportunity for growth in tourism, industry and the regional economy. It should be positioned as such.”
What Japan could do to keep Formula 1 at Suzuka after 2029
To keep the Japanese Grand Prix beyond 2029, Sakon Yamamoto believes work on a stronger support structure must begin immediately. His proposal would involve the Japan Sports Agency and Japan Tourism Agency working alongside the race organisers, local authorities and businesses.
The objective would be to create a coordinated system capable of attracting more international visitors, improving transport links and developing a broader tourism offering around the Grand Prix. The importance of Suzuka within Formula 1’s schedule can also be seen in the championship’s provisional plans, with the Japanese Grand Prix already included on the 2027 F1 calendar.
One particularly sensitive issue is the hosting fee, whose cost continues to increase. Sakon Yamamoto believes some form of public support for those rights could be considered, although he stressed that any intervention would have to be assessed very carefully.
“Public support for hosting rights is one possible option. However, it is essential to carefully evaluate the necessity and scale of public intervention, objectively assessing the effects on tourism spending, employment and tax revenue.”
He also made clear that the objective should not simply be to cover any financial losses associated with staging the Grand Prix.
“The aim is not simply to cover the race’s deficit. It is about protecting an international asset that Japan has built over many years and connecting its value to the growth of the country as a whole.”
Suzuka faces stronger competition for a place on the F1 calendar
The wider issue is the growing competition for a limited number of Formula 1 calendar slots. Established races must increasingly compete with new projects backed by substantial government funding, while cities and countries around the world continue to pursue opportunities to host Grands Prix.
Suzuka remains one of the championship’s most recognisable circuits and continues to attract enormous domestic and international interest. Historical winners, pole positions and other venue statistics can be explored through the F1 Circuit Records & Statistics database.
For Sakon Yamamoto, however, the message is that popularity alone may no longer be sufficient. Ensuring that the Japanese Grand Prix remains part of Formula 1 beyond 2029 could require greater cooperation between private organisers, national government agencies, local authorities and businesses.
He concluded by setting out his own commitment to that objective: “Towards the future of the Formula 1 Japanese Grand Prix. I will move forward with building a national-level support mechanism.”
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