Will Japanese GP survive w/o Honda, Toyota and Bridgestone?

The Japanese Grand Prix at the popular Suzuka track is the next venue on the F1 calendar.

Not only is the track a favorite of many of the drivers, but the race is well-attended by a knowledgeable and enthusiastic crowd.

But in several important respects Japan’s involvement in F1 has shrunk dramatically in recent years.

This is the first season not to feature a Japanese-engined car on the grid since the beginning of 1983. In the last two seasons first Honda, then Toyota have disappeared – though the latter’s equipment is currently being used by Pirelli to test their tires.

Pirelli are arriving as another Japanese name departs: Bridgestone, whose participation in F1 dates back to 1997.

The disappearance of these major Japanese names from F1 has coincided with several of their domestic rivals pulling out of other championships. Suzuki, Subaru and Mitsubishi have all reduced or abandoned their rally programs in recent years.

Japanese car manufacturers even seem less interested in making sporty road models. The Toyota MR2 and Supra, Honda’s NSX and even the souped-up Civic Type-R are all either facing extinction or fossils already. Taking their place are thoroughly unsporty Priuses and Civic Hybrids.

The car manufacturers played a major role in advancing F1's presence in Japan: first at Honda’s Suzuka circuit then briefly at Toyota’s revamped Fuji Speedway.