Fuji 'crap' compared to Suzuka

(GMM) Eddie Irvine, a former Ferrari driver and 1999 championship runner-up, has slammed F1's decision to strip Suzuka of its status as the permanent home of the Japanese grand prix.

Following two consecutive races at the Toyota-controlled Fuji Speedway, the sport will return to Suzuka next year and then annually alternate between the two Japanese venues.

But Irvine told Virgin Media that F1 chief executive Bernie Ecclestone should never have moved the race away from Suzuka simply because of money.

"To move it because of money to a very average circuit like Fuji is very disappointing," the Ulsterman said.

"To me, Fuji is a crap circuit. It's a horrible, boring place in the middle of nowhere. The weather is usually horrible and it's just the worst possible place to have a grand prix.

"You have to say that Fuji does not add to formula one."