Suzuka '07 hopes dashed, chasing '08 race.

Although many will mourn its passing as an F1 venue for the moment when the Japanese Grand Prix takes place at Suzuka for the last time in October, plans are still in place to have the circuit return to the calendar in 2008.

With the venue switching from Suzuka to Fuji Speedway for 2007, one of the most popular circuit's around the world has been left without a grand prix and any hopes it could be retained for next year under a different moniker have reportedly been dashed.

Nonetheless, there are still plans in place for the circuit to return in 2008 branded as the Pacific Grand Prix, signalling a return to Japan hosting two races, something they haven't done since 1994 and 1995 the calendar featured Suzuka and the tight and twisty Aida circuit.

"We have been informed by the Formula One authorities. Obviously we feel it is a great pity," Suzuka's public relations chief Yasuo Sugaya told Reuters. "But we are continuing negotiations in order to be included from the 2008 season."

"We had been hopeful we could come to an arrangement to have two races but unfortunately it was not to be," said Sugaya. "It's still possible we can come back next year (2008) so we'll keep trying."

Japan has been a stalwart of the Formula One calendar for several years, not least because of the high-profile participation from the likes of Honda and Toyota, with the first race being held in 1976 at Fuji.

However, a crash that killed two spectators the following year saw no Japanese Grand Prix for another ten years when it returned with Suzuka, the sweeping 'figure of eight' circuit hosting its 20th race this year.

Nonetheless, the Fuji Speedway, owned by Toyota, has since been completely refurbished and redeveloped, earning it the honour of hosting its first race in over 30 years. It also has the added quirk of being raced in front of a spectacular Mount Fuji backdrop.