Ecclestone hoping for New York GP

"I'm trying to do it for 2012," Ecclestone told Gazzetta dello Sport.

"It would be in front of Manhattan, in New Jersey, with the skyscrapers in the background, 15 minutes from the heart of New York to the circuit, it would be marvellous."

The United States has no Formula 1 race now, after Indianapolis was dropped from the calendar following the 2007 race.

Ecclestone also said he was hoping to have a grand prix in Rome too, but made it clear that Monza was not under threat.

"I hope we'll have it, it would be nice," he said. "The promoters seem resolute. I repeat once again that there's never been the intention of taking Monza off the calendar, and alternating hasn't even been considered.

"Monza is Monza and it's the venue of the Italian GP. Rome will be something else."

AUTOSPORT 

What is it with street circuits these days? First Valencia, then Abu Dhabi and now this....

When will they learn that street races are total crap?

What is it with street circuits these days? First Valencia, then Abu Dhabi and now this....

When will they learn that street races are total crap?

dbowman

Except Melbourne

[QUOTE="dbowman"]

What is it with street circuits these days? First Valencia, then Abu Dhabi and now this....

When will they learn that street races are total crap?

cjek

Except Melbourne

Circuit de Gilles Villeneuve says hello too.

[QUOTE="cjek"][QUOTE="dbowman"]

What is it with street circuits these days? First Valencia, then Abu Dhabi and now this....

When will they learn that street races are total crap?

Redders1989

Except Melbourne

Circuit de Gilles Villeneuve says hello too.

Haha, very true. Although I don't think of them as street circuits in the same way. The likes of Monaco, Valencia and Abu Dhabi are a very different style of street circuit to Melbourne et al.

ECCLESTONE AIMING FOR RUSSIAN GP IN 2012

With Korea due to host its Grand Prix later this year and India due to join the calendar in 2011, Bernie Ecclestone has revealed that he plans to have F1 in Russia in 2012 and on the streets of New York a year later.

The possibility of a Grand Prix in Russia has been talked about for some time, with former Arrows boss Tom Walkinshaw linked with such a project ten years ago. However, with Vital Petrov securing a seat with Renault, thereby becoming the first Russian to contest the Formula One World Championship, interest in the sport is growing and Bernie senses an opportunity.

The most likely location for the Russian race would be Sochi, site of the 2014 Winter Olympics, while Moscow must also be a contender.

However, while Ecclestone insists that the teams must accept a calendar of at least twenty races, fans in Europe must accept that traditional events are under threat as he continues to seek out new opportunities - read money - for the sport

"We're going to lose some races for sure, there are some races we can afford to lose without too much problem," he told Bloomberg. "I've spoken to the countries to see what we can come up with."

While unable - or unwilling - to give further details on his plans for Russia, the Englishman continues to focus on his plans for a race in the Big Apple.

"The idea is that you see New York in the background," he said, revealing that a decision will be made "in the next couple of months."

PITPASS.COM