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Bernie: Chinese GP on track for next year
Source: Agencies |
April 17, 2010, Saturday
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FORMULA One will return to Shanghai next season and the race will continue on a rolling contract for the foreseeable future, the sport's commercial supremo Bernie Ecclestone said yesterday.
An initial seven-year deal was scheduled to end after Sunday's Chinese Grand Prix and Shanghai officials have indicated previously that they might not take up the option for another five years because of the huge losses the race makes.
"We've talked to them all the time about everything, we're happy with everything, no dramas," Ecclestone said yesterday. "The contract is ongoing here, it will go on as a rolling contract. I'll be here (next year)."
The race has also been without a title sponsor for the last two years after state oil company Sinopec decided not to renew its deal.
Meanwhile, Formula One will have 20 races next season with the addition of the Indian Grand Prix to the calendar.
Ecclestone had earlier suggested that some races in Europe would lose their places on the schedule to make way for new races.
"We are not dropping anything," he told reporters, adding with a smile: "Get ready for 25."
Although good news for Europe, the unprecedented number of stops -- the 19 races this year equals the record -- might not be too popular among some teams. They have already reduced the number of people they take to races as part of the cost-cutting measures and have suggested in the past that more races might mean employing two alternating teams of support staff to reduce the strain on families.
Ecclestone also reiterated that this year's maiden Korean Grand Prix would definitely go ahead despite fears over whether the facility would be ready.
An initial seven-year deal was scheduled to end after Sunday's Chinese Grand Prix and Shanghai officials have indicated previously that they might not take up the option for another five years because of the huge losses the race makes.
"We've talked to them all the time about everything, we're happy with everything, no dramas," Ecclestone said yesterday. "The contract is ongoing here, it will go on as a rolling contract. I'll be here (next year)."
The race has also been without a title sponsor for the last two years after state oil company Sinopec decided not to renew its deal.
Meanwhile, Formula One will have 20 races next season with the addition of the Indian Grand Prix to the calendar.
Ecclestone had earlier suggested that some races in Europe would lose their places on the schedule to make way for new races.
"We are not dropping anything," he told reporters, adding with a smile: "Get ready for 25."
Although good news for Europe, the unprecedented number of stops -- the 19 races this year equals the record -- might not be too popular among some teams. They have already reduced the number of people they take to races as part of the cost-cutting measures and have suggested in the past that more races might mean employing two alternating teams of support staff to reduce the strain on families.
Ecclestone also reiterated that this year's maiden Korean Grand Prix would definitely go ahead despite fears over whether the facility would be ready.
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