That is bad news. IMO F1 needs other European circuits a lot more than Hungary.Autoweek wrote:The president of the Hungaroring road circuit near Budapest, Peter Gerstl has confirmed that he finalized a new agreement with Formula One CEO Bernie Ecclestone over the Abu Dhabi weekend, and that a five-year contract extension will take the fixture through 2021.
I wish Mr Ak all the luck. He will need it. I'm a bit sceptical that publishing details of his dealings with Bernie will get him anywhere. Time will tell. I would love to see Istanbul Park back on the F1 calendar if only for one year. It is a great track right behind Spa in terms of elevation changes and it has already made history with its famous turn 8. It is also good news that the promotion is out of the hand of the lazy bugger Ecclestone. He has done nothing to promote the circuit in the years he had the responsibility. Same really as with promoting F1.Vural Ak wrote:Mr Ecclestone is looking at a seven-year contract. He told me he wanted $26 million to put on the race [in the first year], but said he was willing to make a little sacrifice from that figure. I will put in $5 million out of my own pocket – I am not thinking in terms of making a lot of money here. The government will contribute $13.5 million. Therefore we will be stuck somewhere in the middle. We are hoping to have a positive decision from Mr Ecclestone next week. I have guaranteed him a minimum 50,000 spectators on race day, but I expect about 80,000. As well as Formula 1, we will use the circuit for a round of the DTM series, as in the past, and we are planning many other events, including a new Turkish series. We think motorsport events at Istanbul Park will bring tens of thousands of people.
