Ecclestone not in New York for F1 race talks

"Nothing planned"

Bernie Ecclestone has not travelled to New York this week to discuss a possible formula one race on Staten Island, it has emerged.

Explaining that the F1 chief executive had broken his earlier plans to attend the Melbourne season opener, race boss Ron Walker said Ecclestone had instead accepted the invitation of New York mayor Michael Bloomberg.

But a New York City Hall official told the Herald Sun that there is "Nothing planned" between the 80-year-old and Bloomberg.

And when asked about the plans for a Staten Island grand prix, a spokesman for Bloomberg answered: "We don’t have such a plan."

Indeed, Ecclestone has been giving interviews in the last 24 hours from his London office.

Australian Grand Prix Corporation chairman Ron Walker admitted he was confused: "Everybody tells me he is meeting with (New York) city officials but I have no idea what’s in his diary at all.

"It’s none of my business,"

he insisted.

Revealingly, Walker said he was not disappointed Ecclestone had broken his plans to fly to Australia.

"He’s a task master you see. If you were to ask him the future of the race, he could just say ’none’. So these are reasons why I don’t want him here."

Ecclestone confirmed to Reuters the news about him skipping Australia, and when asked if Staten Island is a candidate for a future race, he answered: "No, absolutely 100 per cent."

Source: Nextgen-auto

Bernie: We're going to lose venues

Bernie Ecclestone has warned some European countries that their grand prix faces the axe as he tries to make way for new venues.

With India set to make its Formula One debut next season, the calendar will be extended to 20 races, a number that Ecclestone has stated in the past he'd be happy with.

However, Moscow and New York are both looking for a place on the calendar, with 2012 and 2013 being touted as possible dates for their debut seasons.

But in order to make space for the new grands prix, Ecclestone says he is going to have to cull some of the current European venues.

"We're going to lose some races for sure, there are some races we can afford to lose without too much problem," he told Autocar.

"I've spoken to the countries to see what we can come up with."

Source: Planet F1

Ecclestone eyes New York GP, Briatore return

Bernie Ecclestone on Thursday said he is pushing to organise a Grand Prix on the streets of New York.

The F1 chief executive told Italy's La Gazzetta dello Sport that he hopes the race will be held for the first time in 2012
.
"I'm trying for 2012, opposite Manhattan in New Jersey with skyscrapers in the background," said the 79-year-old.

"Fifteen minutes from the centre of New York to the circuit. (It would be) a wonder."
The last US Grand Prix was held at Indianapolis in 2007.

Ecclestone also mentioned to the sports newspaper his friend and business partner Flavio Briatore, who recently ruled out returning to F1 despite overturning his FIA ban for involvement in the crash-gate scandal.

"I think he could take up a role in the promotion of Formula One," said the Briton.

Source: Motorsport