Ecclestone discusses the Grand Prix of Mexico, New Jersey, and France

As it has been for several years, complete uncertainty surrounds the future 2015 calendar of the Formula 1 World Championship. After mentioning a possible Grand Prix in Azerbaijan a few days ago, Bernie Ecclestone, in an interview with Racer.com, provided an update by addressing several issues.

Sochi: The Russian Grand Prix on the Right Track

Thus, among other things, the 83-year-old Briton reflected on the case of Russia, whose first Grand Prix is scheduled to be held next October, at the site of the Winter Olympic Games, which took place last February. Ecclestone signed the contract linking F1 and Sochi in the presence of the president of the Russian Federation, Vladimir Putin himself, whom he describes as a good guy, gutsy.

« Sochi did an excellent job with the Olympic Games. I think it had a big impact. We always knew that when Russia wants something, they do it, and they get it. We will try to organize a night race there. I even think if we talked to them a few days before the race, they could do it. »

The only shadow on the horizon, ultimately, is the international geopolitical situation which has become tense since the end of the Olympic Games following the Ukrainian crisis. If the context were to become even more strained, the question could arise – as some observers are already doing – about the viability of the championship returning to the shores of the Black Sea. However, in the very recent past, F1 has made stops in countries facing significant unrest, like in Bahrain in 2012.

The French Grand Prix: Always a Question of Money

Bernie Ecclestone also had the opportunity to discuss the French Grand Prix, whose return eventually took the form of a never-ending saga stretching on since 2008 and the last race at the Magny-Cours circuit. In this regard, the Nivernais track could be in pole position to host a possible race after several months during which Le Castellet seemed to have the advantage.

The head of Formula One Management even reveals that a Grand Prix could have been held as early as /f1/actualite/17036-un-futur-grand-prix-en-azerbaidjan-.html: « We have a contract on the table with France for a race at Magny-Cours. To meet the terms of the contract, the organizers will need money, and we want guarantees that it won’t be just a one-off race. [Originally,] it was supposed to take place this year, in fact. » Once again, caution is advised: there have been many announcements in recent months that have not materialized.

New Jersey and Mexico: Objective 2015

In this respect, the American example is enlightening: the New Jersey Grand Prix was initially scheduled in /f1/actualite/16691-ecclestone-repousse-le-grand-prix-de-new-york-a-2015.html before being postponed to /f1/actualite/17036-un-futur-grand-prix-en-azerbaidjan-.html and then finally to 2015. However, B. Ecclestone seems to indicate that things are improving across the Atlantic where administrative and financial difficulties had arisen: « New Jersey just wrote to me. Someone has paid for the outstanding bills and they say they will have more money in the future. If they do what they have to do, I’m happy. » At the end of the season /f1/actualite/16691-ecclestone-repousse-le-grand-prix-de-new-york-a-2015.html, already, the manager of F1’s economic interests had indicated that<a href="/f1/actualite/16691-ecclestone-repousse-le-grand-prix-de-new-york-a-2015.html" target="_blank" title="Ecclestone repousse le Grand Prix de New York à 2015"> the target was next season</a>.

On the other issue that has been ongoing for several months, the Mexican Grand Prix, Ecclestone is confident for next season: Mexico is signed for 2015. However, signed does not necessarily mean that the agreement is confirmed and that the race will indeed take place. At the end of the year, the Mexico City circuit was long on the provisional calendar before ultimately being withdrawn.

India: No Return in 2015

On the other hand, Indian optimism that, after the absence of the Grand Prix, which had hoped the F1s would return to the Buddh circuit as early as 2015, was dampened by the latest statements from the sport’s chief financier to Reuters: « For now, India will not be there next year, that’s for sure. Probably in 2016. They are gradually overcoming all the bureaucracy with the country’s tax situation and finance in general. » The Indian tax situation had, indeed, been at the heart of a legal matter threatening – even preceding – the holding of the event in previous years.

As for a former host that had to leave the calendar this year as well, after four Grand Prix between 2010 and /f1/actualite/16691-ecclestone-repousse-le-grand-prix-de-new-york-a-2015.html, the situation is currently compromised: « Korea? When they have a new government, maybe. » concluded Bernie Ecclestone.