Sao Paulo governor Joao Doria says talks are continuing over the future of the Brazilian Grand Prix at Interlagos.
This year is the last under the current contract between Formula 1 and the historic venue but its uncertain as to whether the race will happen as the South American nation deals with the second-highest outbreak of Covid-19 globally.
Of course, with five months until the originally planned date of November 15, there is still time for the situation to improve in Brazil, and Doria remains sure that Sao Paulo will host safely F1 in 2020.
“The race track is prepared to receive Formula 1, obviously within the health protocols," he was quoted by MotorsportWeek.com on Friday.
“Organisers know that, anywhere in the world, they must obey the city’s health protocols. With regard to this year, the contract has to be fulfilled. It is necessary to make this clear. Our position is that the contract will be fulfilled.”
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If it doesn't, however, it is not unthinkable that Interlagos has held the Brazilian Grand Prix for the last time, at least for the foreseeable future, with speculation continuing that a new circuit in Rio de Janeiro is set to assume hosting duties from 2021.
“We continue talking to Liberty Media about the possibility of renewing the contract,” the Sao Paulo governor commented.
“Here we have a race track ready, established and considered one of the five best in the world.
“Nothing against Rio de Janeiro, but it does not make sense to spend R$ 1 billion ($190m) to build a race track in an area that has no environmental approval at a time of a pandemic, with a scarcity of resources in the country, whether public or private.
“We continue to talk and talk with Liberty Media with a view to renewing this contract. There is no decision signed by Liberty, but there is a formalised statement by the government and the city.”
