Bernie Ecclestone on Friday scotched renewed rumours about the future of the Turkish grand prix.

It had been reported that the poorly-attended Istanbul Park event could drop off the calendar after its sixth running this weekend.

But on a visit to the media centre, the F1 chief executive told reporters in Turkey not to believe everything they read.

In fact, Briton Ecclestone said talks are already underway for a proposed 10-year extension to the current deal.

According to Germany’s Motorsport-Magazin.com, he was also asked about whether Monticello might join Austin for a second US round on a future F1 calendar, and he would not rule out the prospect.

And amid rumours an announcement confirming Pirelli as F1′s next tyre supplier is now imminent, Ecclestone admitted the sport is edging closer to a decision.

He also said F1 might have to call off this year’s inaugural South Korean grand prix if the armies of the rogue North roll in.

Meanwhile, the latest accounts for F1′s owners CVC Capital Partners were issued on Friday, showing Ecclestone is paid $5.8 million per year.

(GMM)

A site for the 2012 United States grand prix has been selected.

It was earlier reported that although a promoter has won the rights to stage the race on a purpose-built track in Austin, Texas, the actual site for the venue is still being decided.

But a lawyer for promoter Full Throttle Productions is quoted by the local American-Statesman newspaper as revealing that land has been secured.

“We’re just not ready to disclose it (the actual location) yet,” said Richard Suttle.

Suttle also said regular F1 circuit designer Hermann Tilke has been appointed.

But even with the new details, doubts about the project remain, including insider sentiment that it resembles past negotiating moves deployed by F1 chief executive Bernie Ecclestone.

Until the shock news of the Austin deal emerged, Monticello Motor Club in New York was considered the front runner for a contract.

Club president Ari Straus said the 2012 start-date was the biggest surprise.

“Somebody starting from scratch would not be able to do it until 2013,” he said.

The implication could be that if Austin is unable to be ready for 2012, Monticello could be back in the frame for a project the following year.

“If Bernie comes back to the table,” Straus said, “Monticello is ready.”

But Austin promoter Tavo Hellmund, reportedly a friend of Ecclestone’s for decades, said he is not worried about the tight schedule for 2012.

“If it (the date) slides back, it slides back,” he said.

Although mainly funded privately, the project will also enjoy some state input, with a letter to Ecclestone signed by Texas governor Rick Perry pledging $25 million per year from the state’s Mayor Event Trust Fund.

(GMM)

Monticello Motor Club, located about a 90 minute drive from New York City, has been given a 20 per cent chance of hosting the United States grand prix starting in 2012 or 2013.

It emerged last week that the private club’s president Ari Strauss told members the venue is in talks with F1 chief executive Bernie Ecclestone and had already been visited by circuit designer Hermann Tilke.

He wrote in a letter that he is now working on securing political backing, insisting it “is not a done deal”.

But a new report by the local daily Times Herald-Record reveals that Strauss and club chairman William McMichael also met recently with Ecclestone in London.

A considerable stumbling-block is that the $35 million track – built in 2008 at the old Monticello airport and with comedian Jerry Seinfeld among its members – needs $150m in improvements and then millions every year for F1′s sanctioning fee.

“We are cautiously optimistic,” Straus said. “If you told me I had to bet on it, I would say there is a 20 per cent chance.”
(GMM)

Another possible venue for a future United States grand prix has emerged.

After talks for a race in Jersey City reportedly collapsed, it is now suggested that Monticello Motor Club, about two hours from New York City, has been earmarked as a possible alternative.

Autoweek published a letter from the club’s president Ari Strauss to members revealing that the club – located in the Town of Thompson in Sullivan County – is in talks with F1 chief executive Bernie Ecclestone.

The letter also said Strauss met with Ecclestone a few months ago, and that F1 track designer Hermann Tilke has already visited the venue.

Strauss said Tilke “confirmed that our track and surrounding properties, with some expansion and minor track modifications, is an excellent location for a grand prix”.

He explained that he is working on securing the “backing and support of local, state, and federal politicians and organisations” and warned that “securing F1 is like winning the Olympics, competition is fierce, and this is not a done deal”.

(GMM)