Formula 1’s Brazilian Grand Prix is to stay at Interlagos until 2025 after a new long-term deal was reached, according to the Governer of Sao Paulo.
The historic venue, which had held the race every year since it was shortened in 1990, was set to be replaced by a new circuit in Rio de Janeiro from next year.
However, the company behind the project, Rio Motorsports, is facing a tough battle to gain the necessary environmental licences to proceed with construction of the facility, located in the suburb of Deodoro.
Amid questions then as to whether that circuit will ever be built, F1 owners Liberty Media returned to Sao Paulo, despite previously falling out over their last contract, negotiated with Bernie Ecclestone, which saw Interlagos host the Brazil GP for free.
And after being included in the provisional 2021 calendar earlier this week, it appears the future of the race has been secured.
“The Interlagos race track has been confirmed to host F1 over the next five years,” said state governer Joao Doria in a press conference earlier this week.
“The contract will be signed by [Sao Paulo] Mayor Bruno Covas and Liberty Media, the holder of F1 rights.
“It is a great victory for the city of Sao Paulo, it is a great victory for the state of Sao Paulo and for Brazil.”
Some reports have claimed the race will be known as the Sao Paulo GP under the new agreement, and there was certainly no love lost for those who had tried to take F1 away from the city.
“The understandings that we have maintained since last year with Liberty Media were made based on correct instruments, in the existence of a race track that is approved by the drivers, by the teams and that, for more than 30 years, has been the home of the Brazilian Grand Prix,” Doria added.
“We did not make speculations, we did not make artificial projections, we did not promise investments that could not be made.”
F1 is also understood to have axed a broadcasting rights deal made with Rio Motorsports, and it is unknown where the company will continue to pursue their project moving forward.
