22/11/2016
NEWS STORY
Bernie Ecclestone has clarified comments he made about the Singapore Grand Prix.
Just 24-hours after appearing to say 'good riddance' to the Singapore Grand Prix, seemingly accusing organisers of being ungrateful, Bernie Ecclestone has said he very much wants to keep Singapore on the F1 calendar.
On Sunday, in a Q&A with Germany's Auto Motor und Sport, the F1 supremo was quoted as saying that it was unlikely that Singapore would renew its contract when it runs out next year.
"They believe they have reached their goal and they do not want a grand prix anymore," he is alleged to have said.
"The Grand Prix has cost Singapore a lot of money, but we've also given them a lot of money," he added.
However, talking to the Straits Times, he dismissed the comments.
"My words were taken in a funny way," he said. "What I said was simple, no decision has been taken yet.
"There's no good speculating," he added. "We get on with it, with the negotiations, and see what happens.
"F1's stand is to hopefully continue in Singapore," he insisted. "Everybody is happy to be in Singapore and we don't want to lose Singapore.
"Negotiations are ongoing and will be sorted out shortly, before the end of the year, I'm sure. We want to extend long term. We'll see what happens."
The denial comes as Malaysia's tourism and culture minister Nazri Abdul Aziz confirmed that his country will not be seeking to renew its contract when it ends in 2018.
"After 2018 no longer," he told reporters in parliament when asked about the future of the event.
"From the longer term perspective, it's probably the correct decision because it's more expensive and no longer that attractive," he added, according to Reuters.
Whilst the Malaysia decision doesn't come as a surprise, the comments about Singapore did. Since joining the schedule in 2008, the sport's first ever night race, the event has become popular with drivers and fans alike, even though, like Malaysia, attendance has dropped on a yearly basis.