Suzuka to host next three Japanese GPs

Suzuka will host the next three Japanese events - in 2009, 2010 and 2011 - after Fuji International Speedway announced last month it will no longer hold the event due to the economic downturn.

Hiroshi Oshima, President of the Mobilityland Corporation, which operates the Suzuka circuit, met with Ecclestone at Valencia this weekend.

And, following the conclusion of an agreement to host the next three Japanese Grands Prix, he stated: "We are delighted that the Suzuka Circuit will now safeguard one of our most important national sporting events by playing host to the Japanese Grand Prix for the next three years."

Ecclestone himself commented: "I have done, and will continue to do, everything to make the Japanese Grand Prix successful."

Suzuka hosted the Japanese Grand Prix for 20 seasons, between 1987 and 2006, while Fuji hosted the event in the last couple of years.