The word from Bernie..

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Ecclestone confirms early Sepang start time
Friday 14th August 2009



Bernie Ecclestone has given the go-ahead to the Sepang organisers wanting to move the start time of the 2010 race forward by an hour.

This year's Malaysian GP, which began at 5pm local time, proved to be a disaster as 32 laps into the race it was suspended as heavy downpour made the track conditions too dangerous.

And although the drivers sat out on the grid in the hope that the race would be re-started, FIA race director Charlie Whiting eventually called it off.

Next year, in a bid to avoid a similar situation, the Sepang organisers are keen to start the grand prix an hour earlier, a decision that has been given the okay by Ecclestone.

"We are going to run an hour earlier," Ecclestone told the Today newspaper.

The F1 supremo, though, defended his decision to start Asian races late in the afternoon in order to make them for European time zone friendly.

"We started this whole thing, particularly with Singapore, and added an extra race because it was very bad for us for TV in Europe," said Ecclestone. "So now we are having a look.

"With Australia we had a twilight race, so it was in Malaysia, but maybe we went a little late there and managed to find a good way to catch the rain.

"But I think in general that is what we will be doing now; it is good for the promoters and the events to have it in the evening rather than during the day."


Courtesy of:  planetf1.com

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F1 will lose traditional tracks for newer ones   
Apr.6 (GMM)


F1 will shed some of its current races to make room for New York and Russia, according to Bernie Ecclestone.

The sport's chief executive said recently he is pushing for a street race in New Jersey in 2012, and he has now said in an interview with Bloomberg that he also wants Russia to have a grand prix.

Ecclestone, 79, said there are three potential sites for the race outside Manhattan, while Moscow or the resort city Sochi are the possible venues for Russia.

"We'll make a decision in the next couple of months" on the locations, said the Briton.

Ecclestone has often talked about expanding the calendar from its current 19 events to 20 or more, but he now says F1 will review its "traditional" European hosts, such as the two races in Spain.

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

Courtesy of:  formula1complete.com

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Older races set to go, says Ecclestone
09 April 2010

                                                  

Formula 1 commercial rights holder Bernie Ecclestone has revealed that the sport is set to wave goodbye to a number of more traditional venues as locations such as Moscow and New York hope to make appearances on the calendar in coming seasons.

This year's schedule ties in with that of 2005 in terms of boasting the most Grands Prix in one season, at 19, although Englishman Ecclestone is sure that some traditional races will have to leave the calendar in order to welcome more exotic spots.


A Rome street race will be welcomed in 2013

With India joining the fray next year, the Russian Grand Prix could make its debut as early as 2012 and a race on the streets of Manhattan is currently in the pipeline for 2013.

"We're going to lose some races, for sure," Ecclestone - head of Formula One Management (FOM) is quoted as saying by Autocar. "There are some races we can afford to lose without too much problem. I've spoken to the countries to see what we can come up with."

Spain has been highlighted as a possible contender to jettison as a race, as the country currently hosts two Grands Prix - in Barcelona and Valencia - and is the only nation to do so.

Courtesyof:  f1.gpupdate.net

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Ecclestone: No doubts over Korean Grand Prix
15 April 2010

     

Formula 1 commercial rights holder Bernie Ecclestone has confirmed that construction work remains on course ahead of this season's inaugural Korean Grand Prix. The verification from the head of Formula One Management (FOM) follows claims that the venue may not be ready on time.

With circuit architect Hermann Tilke having been quoted in the German press on Monday as saying that the brand-new venue may fail to be ready for its 24 October slot, Round 17 of this year's 19-race schedule, Ecclestone is confident that all deadlines will be met.


"I know that major Korean automakers are positive about creating Formula 1 teams, as the Formula 1 World Championship will be held in Korea, where the auto industry is highly developed," he said in a Thursday press conference in South Korean capital Seoul. "I am willing to provide much support and advice to Korea.

"I hope that the Formula 1 Grand Prix will deliver the world images of a Korea that is capable of building excellent cars. When I met with Korea's leading businessmen, they were very positive about participating in Formula 1."

The FOM Chief Executive also verifies that comments published earlier in the week are not accurate. "I'm absolutely sure, no doubt at all," the Englishman is quoted as saying by Reuters. "I've spoken to Tilke and he denies saying it."


Courtesy of:  f1.gpupdate.net

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F1 will stay in Shanghai, says Ecclestone
16 April 2010

                                          

Formula 1 commercial rights holder Bernie Ecclestone has said that China will remain on the calendar next season, silencing rumours that the event may not feature in 2011 as its current 7-year contract comes to a close after this weekend.

With the People's Republic having first hosted a Grand Prix in 2004, no driver has yet won twice in China although Ecclestone has now verified that the field will have more time to ensure that that particular record does not last.


"We've talked to them all the time about everything and we're happy with everything - no dramas," Ecclestone, Chief Executive of Formula One Management (FOM), explained to reporters in the Shanghai paddock on Friday. "The contract is ongoing here, it'll go on as a rolling contract - I'll be here."

Bernie is disappointed, however, over the Friday crowd sizes at a location which is capable of welcoming audiences in excess of 200,000.

"It's a shame," Ecclestone continued. "The whole venue's good but they're not promoting it properly, it's a simple as that; the people that run the place should do a bit more - in the city centre of Shanghai you wouldn't even know that there's a race here."
                                                                         


Courtesy of:  f1.gpupdate.net

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Ecclestone: We will get to Barcelona
19 April 2010
                                                                              
Formula 1 commercial rights holder Bernie Ecclestone is sure that the ongoing European travel chaos will not lead to the cancellation of the Spanish Grand Prix, which is due to launch the European season next month.


With most of the F1 entourage currently stranded in China due to the restrictions imposed by European air traffic control - regarding the volcanic ash cloud which continues to make its way across the continent and imposes a threat to jet engines - word has begun to circulate with regards to the Barcelona race, which is set to take place on 9 May.

"The main concern is getting the engines back because they have to be worked on," Ecclestone, the Chief Executive of Formula One Management (FOM), explained to The Times.

"I am sure everything will be all right. There is no question of cancelling the Spanish Grand Prix. Of course it is causing everybody problems but we will find a way to get everyone home."



Courtesy of:   f1.gpupdate.net

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Ecclestone: Don't underestimate Schumacher!
21 April 2010

                                        
                                                                                
Formula 1 boss Bernie Ecclestone has said he still believes Schumacher can win races. The Briton believes that the seven-time world champion still has what it takes to win races and is not in Formula 1 to be a tourist.


"Schumacher can still win"

"Anybody who criticises Michael (Schumacher) is wrong. He deserves better," Ecclestone told the Times newspaper. "I would say don't underestimate Michael. Give him time to adapt to the new car and the new tyres. At the moment he's something of a newbie who has to get accustomed to the trade again.

"Michael would have never returned had he not been convinced that he can do the job. He is not a tourist in the paddock, he's here to win. And he will win again."



Courtesy of:   f1.gpupdate.net

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Russia could join F1 calendar in 2013 Ecclestone reveals
14 May 2010

                                                 

After visiting this weekend's Monaco Grand Prix Formula 1 boss Bernie Ecclestone will fly to Sochi, Russia, to meet with the possible organisers of the Russian Grand Prix. Ecclestone revealed the Russian Grand Prix could be added to F1's calendar as early as in 2013.

A Russian Grand Prix on the Formula 1 calendar is getting closer each day as Bernie Ecclestone will meet the Russian's next week. "The Russians are good people. They get on with things. It is a matter of whether it suits us or not. I have to have a look at it first," Ecclestone told The Telegraph about his visit to Russia.

Apart from Russia the Formula 1 circus might be visiting Rome for a street race too in the future. "Rome is moving forward. That is going to be good. It's a bit political, obviously. But Rome could be ready in 2013 and Russia about the same time," Ecclestone said.

Courtesy of:  f1.gpupdate.net

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Ecclestone still hoping for New York Grand Prix
07 July 2010

Bernie Ecclestone admits that he still hopes to see Formula 1 racing in or around New York, despite having confirmed a Texas Grand Prix for 2012 onwards. Plans for an event in the former had already seemingly fallen through this year although the F1 commercial rights holder remains optimistic.
The first race suggested would have been on the streets of New Jersey and featured the classic New York skyline although the idea appeared to perish only a day after plans were revealed, following uproar from local residents.



Montreal and North America returned to the Formula 1 calendar last month

The permanent Monticello venue, located in Upper New York State, then emerged as a possible contender although news surrounding that also died as the Austin, Texas event was revealed.

However, Ecclestone has revealed that talks with Liberty State Park are continuing. “It's happening,” he told Autosport. “We are talking to them and trying to do our best. Let's see what happens.”

The Englishman has also confirmed that there is a ‘100 percent’ chance of the Texas race happening but said that a possible F1 meeting in Mallorca in unlikely following talks with track representatives in Valencia.


_{Courtesy of:   gpupdate.net}