Formula 1 made a spectacular return to Fuji in 2007, with Lewis Hamilton taking a stunning victory in an absolutely sodden race.

It was all very reminiscent of Hamilton's countryman James Hunt's heroic performance at the track 31 years earlier - although in Hunt's case his charge to the podium made him world champion.

Fuji's reappearance on the F1 schedule was just another leg in the long-running battle between rival car manufacturers Toyota and Honda – the latter owning Suzuka, and Toyota having bought and extensively revamped Fuji in recent years.

A deal has now been agreed to alternate the Japanese Grand Prix between the two circuits, so Fuji will defer to Suzuka again after this season.

Last year's race was only the third GP at Fuji, and the first since 1977, when three spectators were struck and killed by Gilles Villeneuve's rolling Ferrari.

That incident, and a general lack of enthusiasm for F1 in Japan at the time, led to the race disappearing from the calendar until Honda's rise prompted its revival at Suzuka in 1986.

The superbly challenging Suzuka track was a real drivers' favourite, and was the venue for some pivotal moments in the Ayrton Senna and Alain Prost rivalry – including the infamous collisions of 1989 and '90.

Although Fuji was once a fast and flowing track as well, the drivers were sceptical about the major changes made during Toyota's multi-million dollar upgrade programme.

But although it was not short of tight corners, the layout proved better than expected, and saw some superb racing.

The long, wide front straight into a tight hairpin should ensure this remains the case even if the 2008 event proves dry.

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