Ecclestone confirms there will not be 20 Grand Prix this year
Bernie Ecclestone puts an end to rumors regarding the holding of a twentieth Grand Prix during the 2013 season. According to him, it is now too late for a new race to appear on the calendar. However, he confirms that Russia will make its entry into the discipline with a Grand Prix in Sochi in 2014.
Bernie Ecclestone was present in Dubai this week to announce the partnership between Formula 1 and Emirates. He took the opportunity to revisit the possibility of adding a twentieth race to the world calendar this season.
According to the Briton, it is too late at this stage of the year to consider adding a race to the season. Several rumors suggested the possibility of a twentieth Grand Prix appearing on the calendar, which could have taken place in Portugal or France. Ecclestone is, however, disappointed that this is ultimately not the case: I’m disappointed that it didn’t happen earlier. But you can’t suddenly introduce a race.
He remains confident, however, that the 2014 calendar will indeed feature 20 Grand Prix races, with a race in Russia at the Sochi circuit: « Everything seems to be fine. President Putin seems delighted with the Olympics and Formula 1. I am truly impressed by what they have done. »
Ecclestone also reflected on the organization of the Bahrain Grand Prix this season, which faced several upheavals in previous years against a backdrop of political and social unrest: « The Grand Prix will take place, I am 100% sure of it. There are no longer the kinds of problems we experienced last year at the same time. »
