The Brazilian GP at Interlagos could be axed from the 2017 schedule, according to Bernie Ecclestone.
Despite millions in investment to upgrade facilities at the Autodromo Carlos Pace over the past few years and insistence from the organisers that all requirements have been met for a contract that runs until 2020, the F1 supremo doesn’t think Sao Paulo can maintain the race.
“I wouldn’t put my money on it, I might put yours,” he told Motorsport.com when asked about Brazil’s 2017 chances.
His comments also came after a meeting with current President Michel Temer on Wednesday which reportedly went on for two hours.
Ecclestone claims the conversation was about feeling the pulse of the country’s current leader about the benefits of the race having recently held the Olympic Games in Rio this summer.
“It [F1] has probably been good for Sao Paulo. Whether it’s been good for the rest of Brazil, who knows?” He said.
“I’ve no idea what he can do as the President. This country is very political at the moment. He’s just stepped in.”
The 84-year-old insisted he did not use the meeting as an opportunity to ask for greater government support of the Interlagos race but believed the current organisational structure was not beneficial for the future.
“They spent a lot of money to have the Olympics and the World Cup and here in Sao Paulo it hurts a little bit,” he claimed.
“The promoter is not trying to run this race and make a profit, but not lose money. So, in the end, the people who lose are us because they can’t pay us.”
Ecclestone had similar comments regarding the state of the German Grand Prix for next season which is due to be held at the Nurburgring.
After failing to stump the race fee in 2015, it is believed the fabled circuit is struggling once again for 2017 and some are already turning back to Hockenheim in a bid to maintain the race.
An inability to attract the crowd continued to be the main issue this year, with some areas of the famous ‘Stadium’ section used for advertising and Mercedes have already indicated they will not support the Grand Prix.
While the CEO understands Hockenheim would be prepared to host the race under the same terms as this year, he described that as “no good for us”.
“We tried to keep them alive, but they’ve run out of tablets,” Ecclestone added.
“I’ll put my money on it not happening. I’ll have to talk to them in the next couple of weeks.”
Once again, his comments will likely draw anger from fans who are seeing classic races like Interlagos and Nurburgring potentially priced off the calendar and replaced with venues with no history like Baku.
If F1 visits Brazil next year it will be interesting to see how interest in the sport continues without Felipe Massa and potentially not one local driver on the grid, with Felipe Nasr’s seat not yet secure.
Some do feel the current schedule at 21 races is already excessive, however, new chairman Chase Carey indicated a possible 25-race season could be on the cards in the future.
Most will hope F1’s new owners Liberty Media will be more supportive of the sport’s traditional base when they assume control at the beginning of next year.
