F1 Fantasy Racings » circuits

Barcelona denies Spanish grand prix in doubt

Nicky — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 13:21:26 +0000

The boss of Spanish grand prix venue Circuit de Catalunya has played down reports the event is endangered.
It is reported that Spain’s other F1 host, Valencia, as well as F1 chief executive Bernie Ecclestone, are pushing Barcelona to agree a plan to annually alternate a single race date.

But amid the country’s troubled economic times, Catalunya track boss Salvador Servia said Barcelona remains fully focused on its current race contract.

“Only a disaster – say, an earthquake – is a problem. Forget all the rumours and headlines, we are still working as we were before,” he told Vuelta Rapida radio.

Ecclestone warned recently that, with F1′s calendar ever-globalising, there could be only five grands prix remaining in Europe within a few years.

“If there are five then we want to be one of them, and we will fight to be,” Servia insisted.

He said Barcelona’s current F1 contract guarantees the Spanish grand prix until 2016.

“We have had no communications, either verbal or written from him (Ecclestone) or his organisation regarding the issues of the rumours and headlines,” said Servia.

“We are here, working to fulfil our contract until 2016 and thinking about 2020 as well.”

© 2012, www.fantasyracings.com. All rights reserved. The total or partial reproduction of text, photographs or illustrations is not permitted in any form. Copyright by F1 Teams Media Departaments, (GMM) and (CIAM)

F1 return unlikely as US issues Bahrain alert

Nicky — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 12:53:08 +0000

Bahrain’s formula one return in April is now looking unlikely.
Amid reports the situation inside the troubled island Kingdom is still not stable, the Sakhir circuit’s boss Zayed al-Zayeni last week insisted Bahrain and the world “has to move on”.

But not everyone agrees, including the US State Department which has warned Americans of political unrest.

“The department … strongly urges US citizens to avoid all demonstrations, as even peaceful ones can quickly become unruly, and a foreigner could become a target of harassment or worse,” the new alert about Bahrain reads.

The department also said US staff are being moved to safer locations.

“We expect that planned and spontaneous demonstrations will continue,” a US spokesman told the Gulf Daily News.

Valencia pushing Barcelona for F1 share solution

Nicky — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 12:48:00 +0000

Valencia is waiting on fellow Spanish F1 host Barcelona to reply to talks about alternating a single annual race date.
Both venues have admitted to suffering economic difficulties at present, with the sport’s chief executive Bernie Ecclestone pushing for them to share a spot on the calendar in future.

Valencia’s regional president Alberto Fabra is quoted by the EP news agency as admitting he wants Ecclestone to agree to a new deal with “different conditions”.

Fabra met with the Briton last week.

“Now we are waiting for a response from him and, after contact with different organisations and also with Catalonia, he will tell us what are the alternatives.

“I’m waiting for what Ecclestone says, being aware of our economic situation, that allows us to continue with the grand prix,” he added.

Fabra said simply breaking Valencia’s existing race contract is not an option.

“There is a penalty of two years of fees and then a submission to the English courts for a possible (further) compensation,” he revealed.

“The only viable option is to renegotiate the contract,” added Fabra.

French PM shows ‘green light’ to 2013 F1 return

Nicky — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 12:44:24 +0000

France is poised to return to the F1 calendar.
French-language RMC Sports reports that prime minister Francois Fillon has finally “given the green light” to the race at Paul Ricard to alternate annually with Belgium’s Spa Francorchamps, beginning in 2013.

“The negotiations with Bernie Ecclestone can begin,” read the report, adding that “informal meetings” with the F1 chief executive have already been held.

Fillon’s decision follows a minister’s meeting last Thursday, and RMC said the Var region has also agreed.

“There are still some loose ends to tie up with the department of Alpes-Maritimes,” said the report.

RMC said the French carmaker and F1 engine supplier Renault may also be closely involved with the French event.

“The eyes are now on the Belgian side, who must also validate the project.”

Spanish hosts begin talks for alternating plan

Nicky — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 14:47:03 +0000

Valencia and Barcelona – F1′s two Spanish race hosts – are now in “informal contact” about alternating a single annual date on future calendars.
According to the Spanish-language news agencies EP and EFE, it was the Valencian government’s vice-president Jose Ciscar who made the comment last Friday.

A day earlier, the president Alberto Fabra confirmed he had a meeting in London last week with F1 chief executive Bernie Ecclestone, asking to keep the Spanish port city on the calendar but with “different conditions”.

Ciscar said Fabra passed on to Ecclestone the “economic difficulties” being faced within Spain, and the need for “major events like formula one” to become “less burdensome” to the region’s coffers.

He said there would be “more news in the coming weeks”.

Ecclestone, meanwhile, admitted to Austria’s Salzburger Nachrichten newspaper: “I have tried to get Barcelona and Valencia to alternate, but the Spaniards have not wanted to discuss it.

“We should not have two races there,” he added.

Ecclestone committed to Bahrain’s 2012 return

Nicky — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 14:33:41 +0000

Bernie Ecclestone sounds fully committed to formula one’s highly controversial return to Bahrain in April.
The 2011 pre-season test and race were cancelled due to unrest within the island Kingdom, and some insist those troubles are not yet over.

But the event’s return this year has been definitively scheduled, and F1 chief executive Ecclestone sounds committed.

“Lots of people are talking badly about that part of the world,” he told Salzburger Nachrichten newspaper, whilst attending the Kitzbuhel downhill skiing event in Austria.

“But Bahrain is the country in the Arab world in which there are the fewest problems,” the 81-year-old insisted.

There are a cluttered 20 events scheduled on the 2012 calendar, but Bahrain is not the only one with a question mark hanging above its race date.

There are fears Korea’s organisers are already losing interest, doubts about construction of the new Austin venue, and European races in Spain, Germany and elsewhere facing economic problems.

Ecclestone does not seem worried.

“We could do deals today with five new promoters,” he revealed. “The demand is high — there is great interest from Mexico.

“But more races costs more, also for the teams who probably would have to increase their staff a lot. But we could find solutions,” said Ecclestone.

Valencia in F1 contract talks for ‘different conditions’

Nicky — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 13:29:05 +0000

Valencia’s regional president has confirmed he wants F1 chief executive Bernie Ecclestone to lower the fee for the European grand prix street race.

We reported this week that Alberto Fabra, president of the Valencia Generalitat, had a “private” meeting on Tuesday with Ecclestone in London.

EFE news agency said Fabra wants to “negotiate down” its contracted race fee amid Spain’s economic crisis.

“We want to continue with the grand prix of Europe,” Fabra is quoted as saying by Spanish reports including the sports daily Marca, “but with different conditions.”

He confirmed during a press conference in Madrid on Thursday that the negotiations with Ecclestone are for staging the race with “lower costs” to “find the right balance”.

Austin venue to be finished in August

Nicky — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 13:13:29 +0000

The scene of November’s inaugural formula one race in Austin, Texas, should be ready for the US grand prix well ahead of time, according to media reports.
The Italiaracing website claims that, in the wake of recent speculation the event might collapse altogether, the Circuit of the Americas is now on track to be completed by August.

“The workers are working six days a week to complete the paddock buildings and grandstands,” read the report.

The Austin American Statesman newspaper says the actual track surface will be laid much closer to the race date.

That report said “tonnes of equipment and hundreds of workers” have been pouring into the site since organisers finally paid the race fee to F1 chief executive Bernie Ecclestone following a disagreement.

Insiders have said time is now preciously short to finish the track before its scheduled 18 November race date.

Backer Bobby Epstein said last week: “Our construction group said they can get it done.”

The Statesman said the main grandstand is about the size of “a good-size high school football stadium”, with the rest of the spectators to sit on “temporary scaffolding”.

Ecclestone meets with Valencia president

Nicky — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 17:18:21 +0000

Bernie Ecclestone on Tuesday had a “private” meeting with Valencia’s government president Alberto Fabra.
That is the claim of the Spanish press, amid reports the Spanish port city might have to accept an annually alternating race date on the F1 calendar with Barcelona as Europe’s economic crisis deepens.

EFE news agency said Fabra requested the meeting in London as Valencia “seeks to negotiate down” its contract to host the street race every season.

“There is a willingness to negotiate,” confirmed vice president Jose Ciscar, “and we are on the right path”.

He predicted there will be “more meetings” to come.

Running the annual race at present is promoter Valmor’s Facundo Garcia de la Cuadra, who told Sportspro in an interview that Valencia wants F1 “forever”.

But he also acknowledged the possibility of an alternating date.

“That’s something we have been talking about in the last weeks,” he said. “We will see, that’s all I can say at the moment.”

Magny Cours pushing to be France GP venue

Nicky — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 13:46:17 +0000

“The race is on” to be the venue of France’s return to the formula one calendar.
That is the claim of French public television France 3, in the wake of reports suggesting the Paul Ricard circuit is poised to host the race in 2013.

But Magny Cours, the scene of the French grand prix for close to two decades until 2008, may also be in the running.

Le Journal du Centre quoted Patrice Joly, president of the conseil general of the Nievre department, as saying a theme park proposed for Magny Cours could raise enough money and develop the surrounding area in order to bring the grand prix back to the track.

Joly said the project, to cost EUR 50 million, would be completed by the summer.

Whether Paul Ricard or Magny Cours, Piero Ferrari – the only living son of the great Maranello marque’s founder Enzo Ferrari – hopes France will return to the calendar soon.

“We must protect its (F1′s) historic birthplace with certain grands prix such as the one in France or the races at Silverstone, Spa and Monza, where we always witness some fantastic racing,” he said.

2012 US GP venue ‘taking shape’

Nicky — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 11:20:34 +0000

The scene of America’s return to the formula one calendar this year is starting to take shape.
The local Austin American Statesman reports that construction of the Circuit of the Americas is “moving along quickly” following the recent uncertainty over the 2012 US grand prix contract.

“Buildings are starting to take shape,” wrote Dave Doolittle after a tour of the Texas site.

He said there are more than 360 workers at the site, including those working on the three-story main pit and paddock building where the outline of the podium “is already visible”.

Work on the media building and main grandstand has also begun, added the journalist.

“Officials said they expect to be finished on time for the inaugural race,” said Doolittle, referring to the provisional mid November calendar date.

“They’ve got a lot of work to do, but all of the activity shows that they’re working to meet that goal.”

Official says Nurburgring race ‘possible’ for 2013

Nicky — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 10:10:17 +0000

The Nurburgring’s chances of staying on the F1 calendar received a boost this week.
The German race, which until now has alternated a single annual grand prix date with Hockenheim, was thought endangered due to the withdrawal of the Green-influenced Rhineland-Palatinate government’s state support.

But parliamentary leader Hendrik Hering told the Rhein-Zeitung newspaper: “A race in 2013 is possible.

“There could be a small state subsidy but it needs to be much less than before,” he added.

Other German media reports said new talks have been held with F1 chief executive Bernie Ecclestone and those “initial discussions were positive”.

“If it (the agreement) is very financially favourable, there could be a formula one event in 2013 at the Nurburgring,” Hering added.

‘Leave Spa alone’ say F1 figures

Nicky — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 09:59:03 +0000

Two prominent F1 figures have expressed disappointed at reports the Belgian grand prix at Spa-Francorchamps could become only a biennial event.
It is reported that France’s Paul Ricard is close to inking an agreement to share alternating race hosting rights from 2013 with the fabled Belgian track.

On Twitter, outspoken Red Bull driver Mark Webber denounced it as a “shit idea”.

And Pirelli’s motor sport director Paul Hembery reacted similarly: “Yuk.

“Agree (with Webber), leave Spa alone.”

Valencia rejected alternating race idea

Nicky — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 08:03:23 +0000

Valencia reportedly turned down an opportunity to safeguard Spain’s presence on the F1 calendar by alternating an annual date with Barcelona.
Bernie Ecclestone confirmed last year that Spain’s two races could in the future share a single annual date.

But this week, it emerged that – amid the European economic crisis – both Valencia’s street circuit and the permanent Circuit de Catalunya could lose the support of their respected authorities and fall off the F1 calendar altogether.

On Tuesday, Catalonia government Francesco Homs was quoted by Marca sports newspaper as recalling that the idea of alternating a single race with Valencia was raised last April.

He said the proposal was rejected by Valencia.

Homs did, however, assure journalists that this year’s Spanish grand prix in Barcelona, scheduled for mid April, is safe.

Spa wants F1 future clarity within ‘weeks’

Nicky — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 07:29:32 +0000

The local Walloon government is seeking clarity about the future of the fabled Belgian grand prix at Spa-Francorchamps within “four or five weeks”.
Jean-Claude Marcourt, the government’s economics minister, was responding on Tuesday in a parliamentary committee, following media reports that France looks set to return to F1 in 2013.

Those reports suggested France’s Paul Ricard circuit will share a single alternating annual date with Spa, the fabled Belgian venue.

Marcourt explained that, in a bid to reduce costs, the government had last year begun to look into possibly alternating its grand prix with another European host.

A “non-binding document” with France was circulated, with an answer necessary by the end of 2011.

“On January 1 there was nothing,” Marcourt is quoted by RTL Sport Belgium. “Now the French seem to be catching up.

“In four or five weeks, we have to clarify everything. I do not want things drawing out so that we get to the end of the contract not knowing what is going to happen.

“We are awaiting the response from France,” he added.

Paul Ricard could host 70,000 spectators for French GP

Nicky — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 13:53:49 +0000

If Paul Ricard gets the green light to host France’s F1 return in 2013, the circuit in Le Castellet could bring in more than 70,000 spectators.
That is the claim of the track’s director Stephane Clair, amid reports French prime minister Francois Fillon is poised to approve a deal to see the country alternate an annual spot on the F1 calendar with Belgium’s Spa-Francorchamps.

Previously, a drawback of installing France’s race at Paul Ricard – officially called the High Tech Test Track – was the fact its current layout is not designed to host more than a few thousand VIPs.

But Clair insisted in a French-language AFP report: “It would be a great event to unify people with attractive prices thanks to funding provided by public and private partners.”

He said the project would include the addition of 50,000 temporary seats at Paul Ricard, with another 20-30,000 spectators able to watch from the hills “as in the past”.

He said Paul Ricard now needs the official go-ahead “before the end of the first 2012 quarter”, in order to comply with the requirements for planning, permits and environmental compliance.

Now Barcelona’s F1 race under Spanish cloud

Nicky — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 13:38:44 +0000

With Valencia already asking for a reduced race fee, the fate of Spain’s other formula one event has also fallen under a cloud.
The economics minister of the Catalonia region, Andreu Mas-Colell, told Rac1 radio that the situation for Barcelona’s Spanish grand prix is “the same as in Valencia”.

“In the present conditions we have to look line by line at how we are spending money. We have spent a lot on F1 and at the moment it’s unclear what we can afford,” he said, referring to Europe’s economic crisis.

But the sports newspaper Marca cited sources at the Circuit de Catalunya as saying the F1 and MotoGP races scheduled for 2012 are “guaranteed” at least.

Beyond that, “There are contracts that are more expensive to maintain than to break”, Mas-Colell insisted.

Bahrain pushes ahead amid 2012 race return controversy

Nicky — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 13:20:59 +0000

Organisers of the Bahrain grand prix are pushing ahead with preparations for April’s race.
Last year’s pre-season test and race at the Sakhir circuit were cancelled amid the civil uprising within the troubled island Kingdom.

F1 has scheduled to return to Bahrain this year but reports of strife persist, amid claims from human rights groups that the sport’s participants should boycott the April 22 event.

But a spokesman for the circuit says Bahrain has taken strides forward with the independent report into the unrest, insisting the government has subsequently reacted “swiftly and convincingly”.

“It (the race) is supported by an overwhelming majority of people from all sections of society in Bahrain and represents a symbol of national unity,” he is quoted by The National newspaper.

The Daily Mail quotes him adding: “The independent report was a milestone for Bahrain and we will now work tirelessly to ensure the race is a great success.”

September date set for 2013 French GP return

Nicky — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 14:44:21 +0000

France’s return to the F1 calendar is now so close to confirmation that even a provisional race date has been set.
It emerged just before Christmas that, with the historic French grand prix having been last held at Magny Cours in 2008, the country’s return to the calendar is likely to take place at Paul Ricard in 2013.

The Nice-Matin newspaper had said the Bernie Ecclestone-linked circuit will thereafter alternate a single annual calendar slot with Belgium’s fabled Spa-Francorchamps.

The news follows last year’s establishment of a French grand prix working body by French prime minister Francois Fillon.

“The case is currently on Fillon’s desk,” said a report in the Paris daily Le Figaro.

“He has only to give the green light to sport minister David Douillet and to Nicolas Deschaux, the president of the federation francaise de sport automobile (FFSA).

“The (first) race would be held on 1 September 2013″, Le Figaro revealed, adding that the spectator capacity of the circuit will be lifted to 50,000.

Valencia to ask Ecclestone for lower F1 race fee

Nicky — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 12:37:13 +0000

The government of Valencia will ask F1 chief executive to amend the current contract for the port city’s street grand prix.
“Major events are no longer possible in the way that we have understood until now,” said the government’s vice president Jose Ciscar in media reports published by EFE and EP news agencies.

He is referring to Spain and Europe’s worsening economic crisis, albeit acknowledging that asking Ecclestone for more favourable terms “could result in a penalty”.

When asked if the penalty might cost Valencia more than simply fulfilling the current contract, Ciscar admitted he has not read the fine print.

But during a press conference, he said Valencia is working hard to cut costs amid rising debt and revealed that a “complete and thorough review” of major events will be conducted.

He said part of that review will include a letter to Ecclestone.

Ciscar agreed that the grand prix has “significant value” to Valencia but he said he nonetheless wants to “sit” with the organisers to “renegotiate”.

El Pais newspaper said Valencia pays 21 million euros per race to Ecclestone’s office.

The current contract runs until 2014.

“There are contracts that are signed and we have become accustomed to fulfilling what we agreed. But at the same time everything is subject to revision and we don’t rule anything out,” Ciscar insisted.

More unrest in 2012 F1 host Bahrain

Nicky — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 05:59:44 +0000

More civil unrest in Bahrain will intensify speculation the island Kingdom’s return to the F1 calendar early this year will be called off.
Last year’s pre-season test and also the grand prix at the same Sakhir circuit were cancelled due to a political uprising, in which the government was later found to have used excessive force against its people.

“We have been assured that this is not what’s happening,” said F1 chief executive Bernie Ecclestone to the Guardian newspaper last month.

“What did the report say? Yes, there were instances or whatever, but … I wanted to go out there. I was happy to go. I’d like to go into the prison or the hospital or whatever and ask What actually happened?” he said.

“I hope we go to Bahrain (in 2012) and there’s no trouble — the race goes on, the public are happy and there are no dramas. That’s what I hope,” added Ecclestone.

Those hopes might now have been dented, amid reports a Bahraini woman was killed after inhaling tear gas fired during a “peaceful” demonstration this week near the capital Manama.

It is the third fatality since late November last year, with one teenager reportedly dying after a tear gas canister hit him on the head in late December and another run over by a police vehicle a month earlier.

Ecclestone was asked last month if he would consider calling off the 2012 race if there was real proof that Bahrain’s problems were persisting.

“We’d have to give it some serious thought then. But we’ve been to Argentina when there’s been big dramas. There’s been dramas in Brazil.

“I think you can look anywhere now and it’s not all good.”

Ecclestone told Al Jazeera in December: “There obviously is a problem and I’m quite sure that eventually they’ll get to the bottom of it and sort it out.”

The Bahrain grand prix is scheduled to be the fourth of 20 races in 2012.

Vertical construction begins in Austin

Nicky — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 15:27:48 +0000

Work at the 2012 US grand prix venue in Austin is back at full swing, according to the motoring weblog Jalopnik.
“The crews are on site and construction of the Circuit of the Americas is underway. I saw it with my own eyes,” wrote the reporter.

The news follows the recent contractual disagreement between the circuit owners, original promoter Tavo Hellmund and Bernie Ecclestone that almost steered the entire project off track.

“Last month the track was mostly just a collection of cleared dirt paths but now crews on every part of the track are working to establish the necessary support structures,” the reporter revealed.

“Cranes hold the support beams for the pits, paddock, and media centre.”

The Texas venue’s communications boss Ali Putnam confirmed that the project is “back to normal” after the speedbump.

© 2011, www.fantasyracings.com. All rights reserved. The total or partial reproduction of text, photographs or illustrations is not permitted in any form. Copyright by F1 Teams Media Departaments, (GMM) and (CIAM)

France now close to F1 calendar return

Nicky — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 11:37:29 +0000

France’s return to the F1 calendar after a three year absence is now looming.
That is the claim of Gilles Dufeigneux, who in June was appointed directly by French prime minister Francois Fillon to lead efforts to arrange the race’s comeback.

It is reported by the Nice-Matin newspaper that the event would be staged at Paul Ricard, with an annual race date alternating with Belgium’s Spa-Francorchamps.

“Things are moving in a very real way,” said Dufeigneux.

“All the indicators are green now, or soon will be. My current mood is summarised with three words: optimism, prudence, humility.

“We have entered the stage of completion and we can say that final decisions will be made very soon, in January or early February,” he revealed.

Mexico GP rumours heat up

Nicky — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 21:08:45 +0000

Speculation about a return to Mexico for formula one is revving up.
Earlier this year, Sauber sponsor Telmex’s Carlos Slim Domit confirmed that officials are working on a project to end the country’s 20 year absence from the calendar.

On a trip to Mexico in August, FIA president Jean Todt said it is “possible” Mexico will host a race soon.

Slim Domit wrote in a column for FIA in Motion magazine: “Linking races in Canada and the US with a Mexican round would perfectly consolidate formula one’s footprint in North and Central America and provide a viable bridge to the race in Brazil.”

Bernie Ecclestone told the Independent newspaper in September: “After Russia I would like to go to South Africa and Mexico.

“Both countries are trying to do something.”

Germany’s Speed Week now says “leading representatives” of Mexico’s motor racing federation are “very confident” a F1 race is viable, with the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez on pole position as the venue.

That track, in Mexico City, last hosted the grand prix in 1992, won by Nigel Mansell.

Valencia government takes over European GP

Nicky — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 14:14:27 +0000

A shakeup behind the scenes of the Valencia street circuit’s European grand prix has taken place within the last few days.
EFE news agency reports that the regional government, the Generalitat Valenciana, has taken over the running of the annual race from the existing promoter, Valmor Sport.

The report said the transfer involved a nominal fee, in light of Valmor’s debts.

Spain’s AS newspaper said a government spokesman confirmed the news, insisting that the shakeup will not affect the contract with formula one or the relationship with Bernie Ecclestone.

Work resumes at 2012 US GP site in Texas

Nicky — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 17:59:08 +0000

Construction of the 2012 US GP venue in Texas capital Austin is resuming.
Work at the Circuit of the Americas had been halted amid the dispute between event founder Tavo Hellmund, the track’s new management and financiers, and F1 chief executive Bernie Ecclestone.

That dispute was settled ahead of Wednesday’s deadline of the World Motor Sport Council in India, where the race’s inaugural November date was ratified by the FIA.

“We have an agreement,” confirmed circuit spokesman Jeff Hahn, according to local KVUE news.

And Ecclestone told the Austin American Statesman newspaper: “Yes, there will be a race. We hope it will be for 10 years.”

Founding partner Bobby Epstein suggested that while Wednesday’s news is good for the event, it was also a victory for Ecclestone.

“Mr Ecclestone is a masterful negotiator. He fights hard for his company’s best interests,” he said.

As the news broke, local reports revealed that heavy machinery was rolling back onto the circuit construction site.

But after the most recent delay, time is now tighter than ever to complete the project ahead of the inaugural race date next November.

“Our construction group said they can get it done,” insisted Epstein.

Ecclestone has received US GP cheque

Nicky — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 23:13:05 +0000

Preparations for the inaugural US grand prix in Texas are set to get back into gear.
The FIA announced after Wednesday’s World Motor Sport Council meeting that the event is still scheduled to be held at the Circuit of the Americas in Austin next November.

Earlier, Bernie Ecclestone had said Wednesday was the final deadline for a dispute with the organisers – who had halted construction of the circuit – to be resolved.

“Mr Ecclestone received his cheque today,” chief backer Red McCombs said in a statement.

Founding partner Bobby Epstein added: “We’re glad that Tavo (Hellmund)’s vision of bringing F1 to the people of Texas will become a reality.”

Austin GP deal ‘looking good’ for 2012

Nicky — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 13:48:50 +0000

As the event’s final deadline winds down on Wednesday, there is a growing feeling that organisers of the US GP in Austin have managed to rescue their 2012 race.
With the World Motor Sport Council in India set to take place imminently, F1 chief executive Bernie Ecclestone had warned Circuit of the Americas bosses to stop dithering and sign a binding deal for 2012 and beyond.

A source close to the organisation has told the Austin Chronicle that the chances the race will go ahead next November are now “looking good”.

“I hope Austin goes ahead,” Red Bull driver Mark Webber, in Tasmania this week for his outdoor adventure event, told the Daily Mail newspaper.

“That track looks sensational. I’ve been shown the animations of the layout and it looks really, really special, so they’ve obviously done a good job there,” he added.

First signs of construction at New York site

Nicky — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 15:26:23 +0000

With Austin’s 2012 US GP project all but dead, the first signs of construction at F1′s New York round for 2013 have emerged.
The car weblog Jalopnik published a photo by a New Jersey local: “It might just be the paddock/parking garage, located in exceedingly glamorous Weehawken, but it’s a start,” the report read.

But after Indianapolis left the calendar and the Texas bid hit the dust, obvious cynicism was evident in the report’s title ‘Construction has begun at America’s next failed F1 circuit’.

Indeed, the Texas project has little more than a single day remaining to sort out its contractual dispute with F1 chief executive Bernie Ecclestone.

According to the Associated Press, the 81-year-old “has set a Wednesday deadline” for the organisers “to guarantee (the race’s) long-term financial backing”.

Ecclestone not accepting counter-offer for 2012 US GP

Nicky — Fri, 25 Nov 2011 14:51:14 +0000

Bernie Ecclestone insists a US grand prix in Texas next year remains unlikely, despite race organisers announcing they are now “ready” to pay the sport its overdue sanctioning fee.
With the Circuit of the Americas project reportedly dying, the organisers issued a statement on Thursday announcing they are willing to make “an immediate cash payment”.

“He (Ecclestone) hasn’t received it yet because the new contract presented to us two weeks ago contained unrealistic and unfeasible demands,” said founding partner Bobby Epstein.

“We have signed and returned a contract similar to what we anticipated receiving.”

He admitted the 2012 race will only take place as scheduled if F1′s 81-year-old chief executive returns the revised contract “in the coming few days”.

That appears highly unlikely.

“I doubt it,” Ecclestone, holding a copy of the Circuit of the Americas statement, told reporters at Interlagos.

Asked about Epstein’s complaint that the proposed deal is “unrealistic and unfeasible”, he said: “Yeah, well they shouldn’t sign it. My advice to them is don’t sign it. And they probably won’t get the opportunity.”

Austin off 2012 calendar ‘for sure’ – Ecclestone

Nicky — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 06:58:34 +0000

Austin’s formula one project is close to collapse, with Bernie Ecclestone saying the event will fall off the 2012 calendar “for sure”.
With the Texas state funding also in jeopardy and track construction halted, the main problem is a disagreement between Tavo Hellmund – who held the original race contract – and the separate company that is building the Circuit of the Americas.

Asked by the Press Association if the impasse means Austin will be erased from next year’s race schedule at the World Council meeting next month, F1 chief executive Ecclestone admitted: “Yes, it will be, for sure.”

He insisted: “We’ve done everything we bloody well can do to make this race happen.”

Ecclestone explained that the circuit cannot simply negotiate to have the contract transferred from Hellmund, because “we’ve cancelled Tavo’s contract as he was in breach”.

And “these other people haven’t got a contract,” he said. “All we’ve asked them to do is get us a letter of credit.

“If people don’t have the money they find it difficult to get the letter of credit, and so we don’t issue a contract,” said Ecclestone.

He told the Independent that if the Circuit of the Americas gets its act together, it could sign a new contract for “10 years from 2013″.

But the Daily Express quotes Ecclestone as saying: “I would be surprised if it happened.”

The local Austin American Statesman reports that the heavy machinery and “even the portable toilets” were being removed from the site on Wednesday.

Organizers of Circuit of The Americas suspending construction

Nicky — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 22:53:00 +0000

(pitpass) The future of the United States Grand Prix at the Texas venue took a further twist tonight when the organizers issued the following statement:

“Organizers of Circuit of The Americas, a premier motor sports racing and entertainment venue being developed in Austin, Texas, are suspending further construction of the project until a contract assuring the Formula 1 United States Grand Prix will be held at Circuit of The Americas in 2012 is complete. The race contract between Formula One and Circuit of The Americas has not been conveyed to Circuit of The Americas per a previously agreed upon timetable.

While construction at Circuit of The Americas has progressed as scheduled with over 300 workers at the construction site daily, all work will suspend immediately. The delivery of the Formula One Grand Prix race contract will allow construction operations to resume.

“We have spent tremendous resources preparing for the Formula One and MotoGP™ Championship races, but the failure to deliver race contracts gives us great concern,” said Bobby Epstein, founding partner of Circuit of The Americas. “We believe the United States is vital for the future of Formula One and its teams and sponsors. Given the purpose-built Tilke design, creating a unique fan experience and iconic challenge for drivers, we hope that Texas will not be left behind. More than 100,000 fans have expressed an interest in purchasing tickets for Formula One alone.”

“It is in the best interest of all parties to reach a timely resolution,” said Red McCombs, chairman of McCombs Enterprises and founding partner of Circuit of The Americas. “Local businesses, fans and the State of Texas are counting on us.”

Texas quiet but F1 ‘nervous’ as corruption saga deepens

Nicky — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 17:47:03 +0000

Texas officials would not comment when asked if Bernie Ecclestone’s implication in the Gerhard Gribkowsky corruption scandal might endanger the 2012 US grand prix.
It is feared that, with the F1 chief executive admitting in a German court this week to paying millions to hush the beleaguered banker, the Texas government might rethink contributing to the Circuit of the Americas project.

The Austin American Statesman newspaper posed the question to the Texas comptroller’s office.

“All of these questions would require us to speculate,” the office replied by email.

It is a similarly difficult time for many involved in F1. The Telegraph’s Tom Cary, who has been reporting from Munich, said the sport’s owner CVC “is understandably nervous about its name being dragged through the mud”.

And “the whole of formula one will be watching with interest to see how this case unravels,” he added.

Officials coy amid ongoing Bahrain axe rumours

Nicky — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 15:47:36 +0000

FIA officials as well as Bernie Ecclestone are coy this week amid continuing uncertainty about Bahrain’s return to the F1 calendar next year.
After this year’s race in the troubled island Kingdom was cancelled, Bahrain is scheduled to return to the schedule next April.

Team bosses, however, have expressed concern that the unrest within Bahrain is not yet resolved, leading to a discussion during the recent F1 Commission meeting.

But it is believed that, for now, the 2012 calendar as published by the FIA stands firm.

A report in the Gulf Weekly on Wednesday said F1 officials in Bahrain, who are determined to organise the 2012 race, regard the continuing rumours as “unsettling”.

An FIA spokesman said: “The calendar for the 2012 (season) has been ratified by the FIA, therefore all listed events are scheduled to run, as planned.

“The position is simple — there is a calendar for races for 2012, it has been approved and all teams and promoters work on that basis.”

The spokesman, however, did not comment on reports that Turkey has been unofficially appointed as a ‘standby race’ in the event Bahrain is called off.

And F1 chief executive Bernie Ecclestone said in a notably terse statement: “The 2012 calendar is as has been published.”

Bahrain’s circuit chairman Zayed R Alzayani said: “We are on the calendar and that is it.”

Piquet to wave chequered flag in Brazil

Nicky — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 13:33:41 +0000

Nelson Piquet, the triple world champion and father of the 2008 and 2009 Renault driver, will wave the chequered flag at the end of the 2011 season finale at Interlagos later this month.
Marking 20 years since his last F1 win, and more than thirty years since his grand prix victory debut, the 59-year-old will also drive his 1981 Brabham at the Brazilian venue, Globo reports.

“The choice of Nelson Piquet to wave the chequered flag and drive his Brabham at Interlagos is to honour the importance of what he did for Brazil and in the history of formula one,” said a spokesman for the promoter.