09/12/2005
NEWS STORY
Our sources in Brazil inform us that following official confirmation that the Brazilian round of the inaugural A1 GP series has been cancelled, Interlagos has expressed an interest in hosting the event.
The race, originally scheduled to take place at Curitiba on February 12, had been in doubt for some time, as the circuit did not have the relevant licence from the FIA.
Now however, following yesterday's official announcement that the Curitiba event has been dropped from the championship, we hear that Interlagos, which hosts the Formula One Grand Prix, is keen to host the race.
"Interlagos administration has interest for all the races and events which can elevate and increase the tradition of this circuit," Fabio Panciero, commercial-manager of Interlagos, told our source, "and no doubt A1 GP would be welcome."
Panciero has confirmed that Interlagos is already working hard to bring MotoGP back to Brazil and that the WTCC is looking to run a race at the Paulista circuit.
Although Bernie Ecclestone has given his 'support' to A1 GP, it's rumoured that finding circuits has been made extremely difficult, with the F1 supremo exercising strict control over what form of (single-seater) racing takes place at tracks which form part of the F1 calendar. Consequently it will be interesting to see if there is a reaction to Interlagos' move.
Brazil is certainly important to A1, if only because its team - headed by (driver) Nelson Piquet Jr, and managed by former World Champion, Emerson Fittipaldi, is one of the leading lights in the inaugural championship.