São Paulo’s mayor is set to offload the city-owned Interlagos circuit, in an attempt to guarantee the future of the Brazilian Grand Prix, and expects former Formula 1 CEO Bernie Ecclestone to make a bid.
Interlagos hosted the first Brazilian Grand Prix in the 1970s and the circuit has been a permanent fixture on the Formula 1 calendar since 1990.
However, financial problems in the city have led to authorities seeking fresh ownership for the circuit, in order to secure its long-term future, with new facilities also planned.
João Doria, who assumed office in January, believes Ecclestone, who was replaced as Formula 1’s CEO amid Liberty Media’s acquisition of the sport earlier this year, will lodge a bid to buy Interlagos.
“The privatisation of the track is the guarantee of the continuity of Formula 1,” Doria told Reuters.
“I understand that Formula 1 is important but with private money, not public money. It's perfectly possible for it to keep running with private money as a private track.
“He [Ecclestone] showed interest. He's going to participate in the auction for the track. I have the impression that international funds are going to take part as well. I have no doubt that we will sell the Interlagos track, and sell it well.”
Ecclestone remained coy on any potential plans regarding an acquisition of the historic venue.
“They want to sell, they’re not going to subsidise anything there,” he commented.
“They’re not going to put any money into it. They want to get rid of it. I haven’t made any ‘yes, I’m going to buy’ or ‘no, I ain’t going to buy’ [decision]. We’ll wait and see.”
