Valencia will not be on next year’s F1 calendar, Bernie Ecclestone said on Saturday.

He confirmed that, starting in 2013, an annually alternating deal between the Spanish port city and Barcelona will begin.

Barcelona, the scene of this weekend’s Spanish grand prix, will host the race in 2013, before Valencia returns to the schedule in 2014, the F1 chief executive told Reuters.

Less secure, meanwhile, is France’s touted spot on the 2013 calendar, particularly with the country’s new anti-F1 president Francois Hollande now taking power.

Until recently, the F1 chief executive was saying Paul Ricard was set to join the 2013 calendar, annually alternating a race date with Belgium’s Spa Francorchamps.

As for the state of the deal now, the 81-year-old admitted: “I have no idea. No idea what they (France) are doing.

“It’s a funny arrangement they were making anyway. So I just don’t know.”

Ecclestone is also working on a new deal for the popular Canadian grand prix, having told promoter Francois Dumontier that the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve needs to be upgraded.

“There are two ways of looking at it,” Dumontier, in the paddock of the Circuit de Catalunya, is quoted by La Presse newspaper.

“Either Bernie requires an annual fee windfall, or he will charge a reasonable fee and ask in return for investment in the infrastructure.”

He said the contract on the table is for 10 more years, taking Montreal’s existing deal through 2024.

Ecclestone said on Saturday that he is sure an agreement will be reached, because Canada is one of F1′s most loved destinations.

“I remember saying to Bernie, ‘New York, Austin, I don’t know why you want to go there. Your sure bet is Montreal’. He knows that.

“He’s been in Montreal for 34 years. And in the 22 years of the grands prix in the United States, they’ve had eight different cities.

“He said ‘You’re right’,” added Dumontier.

Another rumour, repeated by The Times’ Kevin Eason on Saturday, is that the planned 2014 Russian grand prix in Sochi “is doomed”.

Amid France’s push to return to the F1 calendar, it appears Magny Cours is not yet out of the game.

Prime minister Francois Fillon, however, has earmarked Paul Ricard – the well-known test circuit at Le Castallet near Marseille – as the host.

But it was Magny Cours that hosted the French grand prix between 1991 and 2008.

The local Nievre department’s president Patrice Joly last week accused Fillon of “bias in favour of Le Castellet” for the 2013 deal.

He said Magny Cours has “all the facilities, infrastructure and expertise needed to organise such an event”.

Championing Magny Cours’ renewed push to host the 2013 French grand prix is Guy Ligier, the now 81-year-old Frenchman who once had his own formula one team based at the circuit.

“I am trying to lend a hand,” he confirmed to the sports daily L’Equipe.

“I have had Bernie (Ecclestone) on the phone several times, as a friend, and have asked for his advice. We talked about the hotel business around (Magny Cours).

“He said to me, ‘Guy, I know you’re in the know.’

“I have a feeling that Bernie is not going to sign anything before he knows the outcome of the presidential election.

“I’ll tell you honestly what I feel: nothing is lost for Magny Cours,” added Ligier.

France’s return to the 2013 formula one calendar is not quite at the finish-line.

Many expected prime minister Francois Fillon’s visit to the Paul Ricard circuit last Friday to coincide with an announcement about the revival of the French grand prix next year.

Some think that was indeed the intention, but ultimately a couple of details were missing at the last hurdle.

The first was the identity of the host circuit that will annually alternate the race date, amid reports Belgium’s Spa Francorchamps is not yet ready or able to agree.

“The formula one management has approved the plan without indicating who would be the other country,” Fillon is quoted as saying in local reports.

Another problem is on the financial side, with Fillon admitting that – politically – there can be no direct government subsidy other than a mere “bond”.

The difference between a deal and no deal between Bernie Ecclestone and the Le Castellet organisers, then, is “about two million euros”, Fillon revealed.

“The formula one organisers’ proposal is reasonable enough,” he said, “but we have to make them remove the ‘enough’,” he added.

“Symbolically it would not be acceptable (for the government) to subsidise a grand prix,” he insisted, “as was the case in the past with Magny Cours.”

Magny Cours, the former French GP venue, reacted with shock and anger, accusing the prime minister of “bias in favour of Le Castellet”, where temporary grandstands will have to be erected to host spectators.

On the other hand, Magny Cours has “all the facilities, infrastructure and expertise needed to organise such an event”, insisted Patrice Joly, president of the conseil general of the Nievre department.

“Contrary to what you would expect from the head of government, the prime minister strives to implement a solution based on partisan considerations and personal issues away from the general interest,” he added.

Martin Brundle has admitted he is surprised HRT is still struggling so much at the start of its third season in formula one.

Better known then as ‘Hispania’, the Spanish team was founded by Adrian Campos after former FIA president Max Mosley opened up three new places in pitlane for the start of the 2010 season.

But last year, the team’s second group of owners – the Carabante family – passed the baton yet again to Thesan Capital, who have rebuilt HRT in the wake of the management and infrastructure that was brought by former boss Colin Kolles.

Even so, the highly respected British commentator and former grand prix veteran Martin Brundle is surprised that Pedro de la Rosa and Narain Karthikeyan are struggling so much with the team’s Cosworth-powered 2012 car.

“Somebody’s got to be at the front, somebody’s got to be at the back,” the Briton told the BBC motoring programme Top Gear’s website.

“(But) the HRT is particularly poor at the moment, and it confuses me why in year three it’s worse than it was in year one.”

Carlos Gracia, an FIA vice-president and head of Spain’s motor racing federation, doesn’t fully agree.

Speaking to the sports newspaper Marca, he explained that veteran de la Rosa faces a “handicap” as the Spaniard races with HRT this year.

“He knows where he is; in a brand new team, although some people believe it is their third year.

“They have begun again, but it seems that they are in a situation where they have only just started and yet they have to clean up the image of the other years.

“That’s his handicap, but the team will have credibility because of Pedro and also because of a good business investment,” added Gracia.

 Pedro de la Rosa has defended the viability of struggling HRT, despite its new owners trying to build up a formula one team in the mist of a near-unprecedented economic crisis.
The unemployment rate in Spain has spiralled past 20 per cent, and yet owners Thesan have taken on the task of rebuilding the former Hispania team following the departure of boss Colin Kolles and all the infrastructure.

The F112, bearing more than a striking resemblance to the Dallara-designed 2010 and 2011 car, was launched recently with a new livery but only two visible sponsors.

Asked whether it is a good time to push ahead in Spain with a formula one project, lead driver de la Rosa said: “Any moment can be good.

“There is a large labour force in Spain, highly educated and motivated people, young people pushing hard and experienced people.”

But in formula one, money is the fuel and it’s difficult to come by at present.

“This is a time of crisis,” de la Rosa acknowledged to DPA news agency, “and also it has been noticed in formula one and budgets have gone down.”

He admitted, however, that HRT will have to attract more backing in order to survive.

“If the (financial) injection does not come, it is going to be difficult,” said the 41-year-old. “We need sponsors, investors who believe in the project, to help us to grow.

“It’s obvious, we need it, but first we need to build a foundation so it can be seen that it is profitable to invest in our team,” he added.

 HRT has confirmed that its 2012 car, the F112, will finally make its track debut on Monday.
Recently, the FIA barred Red Bull and Ferrari from tweaking their test schedules so that their Barcelona running could end on Monday.

But struggling backmarker HRT asked its rivals for special permission, given it had yet to use its separate allowed test day for ‘filming and promotional’ purposes.

Actually, the Cosworth-powered HRT is also being launched, debuted and shaken down, after a failed FIA crash test delayed progress for a team already recovering from a change of ownership and the exit of boss Colin Kolles.

A report in the German press said HRT has been focused not only on the ‘step nose’ 2012 car, but also buying up all the infrastructure needed for a new F1 team — like pitstop wheel guns at EUR 4000 apiece.

The team said Narain Karthikeyan will do the driving at the Circuit de Catalunya on Monday, with Pedro de la Rosa and reserve Dani Clos also on hand.

EFE news agency quotes de la Rosa as admitting the first six months this year will be “very hard” for HRT.

Other Spanish reports said the F112 was finally fired up in the factory on Sunday.

“I’m very happy,” said de la Rosa, “but also I know how much work is ahead, because we are two months late and we are starting with virtually no preseason.”

Referring to Monday’s shakedown, he added: “It’s better than nothing and, for us, it’s almost a victory,” de la Rosa is quoted by Mundo Deportivo.

Toro Rosso counts Caterham – the 2010 start-up team that has failed to score a single point since inception – among its close rivals for 2012.
Last season, the Red Bull-owned rookie team Toro Rosso finished the championship in eighth place with 41 points, well clear of Williams and behind Sauber and Force India.

“Our direct competitors are Sauber, Force India and Caterham,” the Faenza based team’s boss Franz Tost is quoted by autohebdo.fr.

Formerly Lotus, the Tony Fernandes-led Caterham team has been the best of the new 2010 teams including Marussia (nee Virgin) and HRT.

“Caterham has managed to build a good infrastructure,” Tost is quoted as saying.

“They have the Renault engine and a KERS from Red Bull and it means their package is good.

“They have two experienced drivers and I expect they will become our rivals.

“Our goal is to take seventh place in the championship — we must do better than last year,” added Tost.

 The future of the Russian grand prix could be in Moscow.
The huge country is already scheduled to join the 2014 calendar, with the federal government allocating almost $200 million for a new circuit in the coastal city Sochi.

But an official has hinted that, if the Sochi event is ultimately not successful, the formula one race could be moved 1300 kilometres to Moscow.

Three years ago, work began on a $215 million formula one-style circuit in Volokolamsk, 80 kilometres west of the Russian capital.

“The Volokolamsk circuit is fully in line with formula one safety requirements,” Russian motor racing federation vice-president Igor Yermilin told Sovietsky Sport.

“However, some additions to the infrastructure would be needed, particularly as far as the VIP (section) goes.

“A (decision to) transfer the Russian grand prix will depend upon the commercial success of the race in Sochi,” he explained.

“If the race is successful, there will be no talk of moving it elsewhere. If not, it would be more profitable to hold (the race) in the Moscow region as of 2017 or 2018.”

The designer of India’s new Buddh circuit insists the venue will be ready for its inaugural race late this month.
Hermann Tilke was talking to Germany’s Auto Motor und Sport after the latest round of speculation about the last stages of construction near Delhi.

Asked if the F1 paddock and spectators need to be worried three weeks before they arrive at Buddh, he said: “No, everything with the planning is on time.

“This is actually as it always is — almost all of the new tracks are finished just in time. It will also be the case in India.”

Tilke admitted however that the entire facility may not be complete.

“It is safe to assume that certain parts of the infrastructure will still have something to do. But that’s true of almost everywhere as well.

“I am very satisfied and I think the results speak for themselves,” he added.

Peter Sauber has admitted he is “angry” after both his cars retired with gearbox failures at Monza.
The units, like the Swiss team’s engines, are supplied by Ferrari.

“It was like going back to formula one’s stone age,” Sauber growled to Germany’s Auto Motor und Sport, referring to the fact that technical problems are today increasingly rare.

The magazine said Ferrari “has yet to analyse” the cause of the double failure, which caused both Sergio Perez and Kamui Kobayashi to retire from the Italian grand prix.

Sauber said the defects cost the Hinwil based team points amid its close championship battle with Force India and Toro Rosso.

“For the second time this year like Australia we have given our opponents points in a big way,” he added. “But we have to take it in a sporting way and go to full attack for the last six races.”

Beyond 2011, Sauber is hoping to have a bigger budget to make better use of its facilities at Hinwil, once the headquarters of BMW’s works team.

“I think the infrastructure is excellent,” said the team’s 67-year-old owner and boss, “and, of course, with more money we can be faster. In our case it is very easy.”

Sauber also admitted he wants to expand the team’s staff count beyond its current 280.

Joan Villadelprat on Monday insisted he has not given up on bringing his Spanish Le Mans team Epsilon Euskadi into formula one.

The Spaniard tried to acquire the thirteenth and final team entry for 2011, but the FIA ruled that none of the applicants had the financial resources to justify the go-ahead.

But Villadelprat told the Noticias de Gipuzkoa that the 13th entry is not the only route into F1.

“We have not thrown in the towel,” he confirmed.

“The most important thing in formula one is the funding that allows you develop for the long-term. We already have the infrastructure and human capacity.

“We are still working with a range of investors and we hope soon to have a final decision,” added Villadelprat. “If the decision is positive, we have a range of options.

“We can go for the 13th entry in 2012, or for 2011 buy an existing team.”

He ruled out buying the struggling HRT team.

“We are not in contact with them,” said Villadelprat, with decades of experience in F1 with Ferrari, McLaren, Benetton and Prost.

“But we are confident that there are licenses available, because there are several teams in a very delicate economic situation,” he added.

“If we secure the budget for the next four years to take over the project of one of these teams, we will — otherwise, no.”

Before arriving in Korea, Bernie Ecclestone visited the site of next year’s inaugural Indian grand prix.

According to local reports, the F1 chief executive gave the facility 40 kilometres from Delhi a thumbs-up, despite the recent international criticism of the Indian capital’s hosting of the Commonwealth Games.

“Very, very happy,” he told journalists.  “Much better than I thought.

“I have no fears about the circuit.  After the Commonwealth Games, silly people said ‘be careful’ but I’m so happy about the progress of work.

“It is going to be much better than many tracks,” added the 79-year-old.

Ecclestone countered reports that the airport will struggle with F1-levels of flow, or that the local infrastructure will not cope with the traffic.

“The only thing left is more hotels coming up in surrounding areas,” he insisted.

The Briton blamed the media for the negative hype about Delhi’s hosting of the Commonwealth Games, and pointed out that “different people” are organising the F1 event.

“I will come back if necessary but I don’t think it will be necessary before (the 2011 race in) October.  These people are quite capable, and I don’t see any problem,” said Ecclestone.

Ecclestone arrived at Korea’s new F1 circuit on Thursday.

Spain’s leading FIA official has been told the inaugural Korean grand prix will go ahead as scheduled in two weeks.

Charlie Whiting is only inspecting the Yeongam venue on Monday and Tuesday, but it is believed that selected media have essentially been briefed to the effect that nothing will now lead to the cancellation of the October 24 event.

That follows the latest information and photographs to emerge from Korea, showing that the top layer of asphalt is now complete and curing, that kerbs and barriers are in place and the basic building infrastructure able to accommodate the teams and media.

Indeed, Spain’s AS newspaper said Whiting’s inspection early this week is a “mere formality”.

“The race is going ahead.  This has been confirmed at Suzuka to the president of the Real Federacion Espanola de Automovilismo, Carlos Gracia,” said the report.

Gracia is also a member of the FIA’s authoritative World Motor Sport Council.

Christian Horner on Sunday said he “knows” the inaugural Korean grand prix will take place as scheduled in two weeks.

There has been great uncertainty about the health of the event due to delayed construction at Yeongam, but Bernie Ecclestone and some other bosses are now openly bullish.

Indeed, ahead of Charlie Whiting’s inspection early this week, the latest photographs show that the top layer of asphalt is now laid, kerbs installed and the main grandstand complete, even though some supporting infrastructure is unlikely to be ready for late October.

Red Bull team boss Horner told German Sky television: “We know it is going to take place.

“It’s interesting because it’s new for everybody.  We’re looking forward to it.

“The long straights don’t really suit us, but our car should work well on the twisty parts,” added the Briton.

Bernie Ecclestone on Thursday insisted he is not worried that next year’s Indian grand prix might also turn into a crisis.

Delhi, also to host F1′s inaugural Indian race late in 2011, is currently embroiled in crisis over its shambolic organisation of the forthcoming Commonwealth Games.

There are security, disease and infrastructure concerns that have already caused some top athletes to pull out, amid the looming threat that the entire games might have to be called off.

Asked if he was worried the Indian capital might also bungle its F1 race, F1 chief executive Ecclestone said in Singapore: “No, it’s a different organisation altogether, completely different so I have no worries at all.”

“The people who, as you say, are making a shambles, are not the people who are dealing with us for the race,” he is quoted by PA Sport.