Source: Racepictures.com

F1 News

Brazilian GP faces axe from F1 calendar

Brazilian GP faces axe from F1 calendar

12-11-2018 15:35
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Jake Williams-Smith

The Brazilian Grand Prix could be the latest race that is facing losing their spot on the Formula One calendar. Just a week after announcing a brand new race will be joining the F1 schedule, an old favourite could be one of those making way for Liberty Media's new wave of F1 venues.

The 2018 race was thrilling from start to finish but despite great racing on-track, Interlagos could be losing their race with the current contract with the circuit expiring in 2020.

Having rebuilt the pitlane and paddock areas in order to modernise the circuit, high hosting fees and costs to continue to modernise the circuit could drive a Brazilian Grand Prix away from Sao Paolo and off of the F1 calendar altogether.

Talks of privatising the Interlagos circuit have been bubbling up and according to Sao Paolo mayor Bruno Covas, the city intends to go through with these plans.

“The race is important for the city, we have all the interest to keep it,” he told media during the grand prix weekend.

Along with the unveiling of the Vietnam Grand Prix, Liberty Media unleashed a veiled threat to those who are seeking lowered hosting fees that even 'heritage' races are not safe from the chopping block despite their history in F1.

According to Reuters, an F1 spokesperson acknowledged that the race in Brazil was reaching the end of its current contract but that there was no rush to sign any new deal with event organisers.

“Brazil is an important country for F1,” he is quoted as saying.