The European Grand Prix removed from the 2012 calendar?
The European Grand Prix in Valencia seems to be in jeopardy for this season. The organizers have until March 9 to pay the hosting fees for the F1, but so far no payment has been made.
For several months, the staging of an F1 race in the port of Valencia has been the subject of much speculation, fueled by the organizers of the event themselves. The government of Valencia, in charge of the race, is experiencing financial difficulties, and F1 is no longer its priority.
According to the newspaper El Pais, the regional government has still not paid the hosting fees for the European F1 Grand Prix, which is set to take place on June 24th. Negotiations are even underway with the FOM to try to reduce the 21 million sum that the Valencia government must pay annually.
«We are still in the negotiation phase,» a spokesperson disclosed.
According to Diario As, Valencia must pay the FOM by March 9, which is next week. However, Alberto Fabra, the President of the Government of Valencia, reminded El Pais that hosting Formula 1 is not his primary concern.
Considering the financial problems and the difficulties in attracting crowds, Valencia might turn to an alternation with Barcelona. The officials of the Catalan circuit believe this is the best solution. Germà Gordo, one of the officials of the Catalan Government, told the German agency DPA that a proposal for alternation should be sent to Valencia in the coming weeks to start their collaboration from 2013.
But before thinking about an alternation for the coming years, Valencia will have to pay the amounts due to the FOM if it wishes to continue hosting a Formula 1 Grand Prix, starting with this season.
