HRC clarify position on racing at Suzuka

After sections of the media misunderstood comments made by HRC Executive Vice President Shuhei Nakamoto, Honda Racing Corporation would like to clarify its position on the possibility of hosting the 2011 Japanese Grand Prix at Suzuka instead of Motegi.

In an open call with International media on Monday 15th August in Brno, Nakamoto stated that, although he personally likes the Suzuka circuit layout, it would not be possible to race there instead of Motegi because the circuit does not hold the correct FIM (Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme) homologation to host a MotoGP race.

During the interview, Nakamoto commented:

"Suzuka Circuit does not have the correct license. To achieve the proper homologation the FIM would ask for a lot of changes and we cannot do everything. A good example is the hairpin, the run off zone is too close, but there is a road behind so it's impossible to move it any further. Without these kind of issues, Honda could consider Suzuka as an option, but at this moment we are not thinking about it".

He continued:

"Personally, I like Suzuka, because of the circuit layout, with high speed corners and low speed corners, it's a very good course for riders, a demanding and challenging course. Motegi is a little bit stop and go, overall I like the Suzuka layout more, but this is my personal opinion and has nothing to do with racing there in 2011".