Equation 1 proprietor Freedom Media’s push to hold occasions in objective urban communities proceeded with this week as it declared its new 10-year Spanish Great Prix contract with Madrid.
The most recent addition from 2026 demonstrates the clear trajectory of the kind of race that fits F1’s current needs in light of its new events in Jeddah, Miami, and Las Vegas.
With the Madrid bargain presently finished, consideration has definitely moved to see what other place could arise as an up-and-comer city to join the program – with one fascinating competitor being Osaka in Japan.
There have been murmurs for a couple of months now that Japan’s third most crowded city was examining assembling a F1 bid, yet its arrangements have now been affirmed as city bosses assess what should be possible.
Osaka the travel industry department executive Hiroshi Mizohata has quite recently officially reported its goal to turn into a possibility for F1, and an agent of the association has talked solely to Motorsport.com about the undertaking that incorporated a designation visiting last year’s Singapore Great Prix.
“F1 will be the ideal impetus for Osaka to turn into a global vacationer city,” said the travel industry department part.
“It is essential for Osaka to attract wealthy individuals from Europe, the United States, and Australia in order for it to accomplish that.
“We likewise accept that F1 will be the ideal impetus for drawing in lavish lodgings and reviving the evening economy.
Mizohata was roused by the Singapore GP
“I went to watch the Singapore Amazing Prix, and it was totally not the same as the picture I had of F1. There were live occasions going on, and there were conferences for extravagance brands at adjacent inns.”
Although Osaka’s project is still in its infancy and no formal negotiations have begun regarding a race contract, it is understood that preliminary contact has been made with F1 personnel to test the idea, which has encouraged the city to move forward with its project.
A last area for the actual race has not been chosen, with Osaka bosses proceeding to weigh up different choices – with nothing precluded at this point.
That could mean a road race through the city, it could mean a long-lasting race track in the close by prefecture, or it very well may be a crossover style design around the Osaka Exhibition site on Yumeshima Island, which is being developed for 2025.
One element that would should be viewed as would be the funds, with Osaka assessing how best to get a profit from venture, which would probably come from private assets as opposed to citizen cash.
“The actual circuit might be challenging to make (productive), yet assuming you consider [the financial effect on] the whole city, I think it has potential,” added the authority delegate, who proceeded to make sense of that the undertaking was something that would require numerous years to arrive at fulfillment.
“Right now, I can’t say how long from now we are expecting to get it going. I think it will be a plan for the long term. POOL
Osaka is hoping to join Suzuka on the schedule, not supplant it
“I heard that it required a long investment for Singapore to hold the occasion interestingly, so I don’t figure it will be speedy. However, in the event that there’s an opportunity, I’ll check it out.”
Similar to how Madrid has cast doubt on Barcelona’s long-term viability, any progress on the Osaka concept would undoubtedly raise concerns regarding the future of Suzuka, where the Japanese Grand Prix is currently held.
However, Osaka makes it abundantly clear that any event it receives would be in addition to Suzuka and not in place of it.
“I might want to hold back nothing shared flourishing with Suzuka,” added the authority agent. “I figure it would be perfect to hold two races in Japan, which is an auto superpower.”
Suzuka’s ongoing agreement to have the Japanese Excellent Prix runs for the rest of 2024.