- Sale of original asphalt as part of track work ahead of the 2026 season
- The west course is affected, including the chicane before the start and finish
- Prices and exact dimensions are not yet known
The historic Suzuka Circuit is preparing for further construction work. Parts of the track are to be resurfaced before the 2026 Japanese Grand Prix. However, the asphalt removed during this process will not be disposed of, but offered as a collector’s item. This will make a piece of racing history officially available to fans for the first time.
Asphalt from the chicane with a great past
The pieces for sale come from sections of the West Course. Published images show cylindrical cores being drilled directly from the track surface. Particular focus is on the chicane before the start and finish, a section that has been the scene of many memorable Formula 1 moments.
The collision between Alain Prost and Ayrton Senna in 1989 is inextricably linked to this spot. The accident decided the world championship in Prost’s favor at the time and is still considered one of the most talked-about events in Formula 1 history.
Sale as a collector’s item with an open price
The track operators confirmed the sale via social media. A statement reads:
“Due to resurfacing works on the West Course of Suzuka Circuit, we will be selling the ‘asphalt’ from the racing track where major events such as F1 and the Suzuka 8 Hours have taken place. The image shows one scene from the extraction process.”
Those responsible went on to explain:
“Details such as price will be announced again at a later date.”
There is currently no official information on the cost and dimensions of the asphalt pieces. Reactions on social media are mixed. While some users criticize the sale as consistent marketing, others hope for a large number of pieces and the lowest possible price. The thickness of the cores is also striking, which, according to comments, is surprisingly massive.
Track work ahead of the 2026 season
No further details were given as to why the affected sections are being resurfaced. It is likely to be part of regular maintenance work. No serious problems with the track surface have been reported in recent years. However, there have been several interruptions to Formula 1 races recently due to grass fires alongside the track.
The construction work is scheduled to be completed in time for the 2026 Japanese Grand Prix, which is set to take place in March.
Suzuka as an integral part of motorsport
Suzuka has been the venue for the Japanese Grand Prix almost continuously since 1987. Only in 2020 and 2021 was the race missing from the calendar due to the pandemic. Formula 1 also did not visit Suzuka in 2007 and 2008, as the Grand Prix was held at the Fuji Speedway, which is owned by the Toyota Group, in those years. Suzuka itself is owned by Honda.
In addition to Formula 1, the track has also been the venue for other high-profile series such as the Suzuka 8 Hours (motorcycle endurance race) for decades. MotoGP races were last held in 2003 and were discontinued after the fatal accident of Daijiro Kato.
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