Billionaire built his own private £160m F1 track on the side of a mountain and fans think it should host an official Grand Prix
F1 fans have been left hoping a new circuit enters the calendar after seeing a stunning £160 million private race track which is carved into the mountains in Japan.
Located in the mountains of Chiba, about 66 miles from Tokyo, the Magarigawa is a 2.2-mile track built for the richest of the rich to push their supercars to the limit.
The track boasts 22 corners and an 800m straight with views of Mount Fuji, and if driving isn't your thing you can enjoy the infinity pool, restaurant, gym, and karaoke room.
As the first private racetrack resort in Asia, Magarigawa holds a unique place in motorsport history and was actually built by F1 track designer Hermann Tilke.
Advert
Tilke is responsible for the Shanghai International Circuit, Bahrain International Circuit, Circuit of the Americas, Jeddah Circuit, Baku City Circuit, Yas Marina Circuit, and the Singapore Marina Bay Circuit, all of which feature on the 2025 F1 Calendar.
Speaking during the construction of The Magarigawa, Tilke said: "I’ve designed many circuits over the last three decades, and each and every one of them is truly unique.
"Whether it’s designing for the F1, for motorcycle racing, or for the spectators, I refuse to limit myself to existing concepts."
Given the track's stunning location, safety was a major obstacle to overcome when building the track, founder and CEO of the project Rafael Galiana is confident he has found the right balance.
"We kept in mind that we must protect the lives of all drivers on the circuit, which includes those driving race cars and road cars," he explained.
"We also try to find a color that will blend in with the natural environment and let drivers feel like they are driving through the forest."
After three years of construction, the Magarigawa officially opened in 2023 but has recently gone viral with F1 fans who are desperate to see a race at the unique circuit.
However, as things stand it is highly unlikely the track would be suitable as its location and lack of run-off areas would make it hard to pass FIA tests in its current state.
But that hasn't stopped fans dreaming.
One fan posted: "Imagine F1 here. The track is just about long enough."
Another replied: "Obviously Suzuka is a historic track and I'd never suggest F1 replaces it but I wouldn't mind a race weekend being here, just once."
A fourth fan said: "It would be better to host a race here than have another street circuit race in the USA!"
One fan suggested: "Swap this for Monaco."
Would you like to see F1 race here? Let us know in the comments.
Tom Jenkins