Simtek wrote:I understand as well that, regardless of whether or not the Rio move is even feasible, Interlagos has a contract to hold the race until 2020 anyway.
And while we're on the thread topic, it now appears that
two races will be dropped ahead of next year, presumably to make way for Hanoi and Zandvoort. Spain already looks to be one of them, and I've a feeling Mexico will be the other.
There seems to be some confusion over what exactly is happening with Interlagos - it is true that Interlagos have stated their contract runs into 2020, and some reports state that they would not switch to Rio until 2021, but others have interpreted Bolsonaro's statement as indicating the race will be in 2020 instead i.e. that F1 will find a way out of their contract with Interlagos.
Then again, it seems that the governor of Sao Paolo has called Bolsonaro's statement into question and asking where the money is supposed to be coming from to fund the circuit, so it might be that the arguments over whether it is 2020 or 2021 turn out to be irrelevant.
dr-baker wrote:Simtek wrote:And while we're on the thread topic, it now appears that
two races will be dropped ahead of next year, presumably to make way for Hanoi and Zandvoort. Spain already looks to be one of them, and I've a feeling Mexico will be the other.
Barcelona and Interlagos?
With Monza having recently signed a new contract extension, that leaves four circuits whose contracts are about to expire: Silverstone, Hockenheim, Mexico and Barcelona.
If, as expected, Barcelona falls off the calendar, we're left with Silverstone, Hockenheim and Mexico. The expectation seems to be that Silverstone will eventually sign a contract extension, leaving Hockenheim and Mexico - both of which seem to be vulnerable right now.
Whilst, in recent years, Hockenheim has been able to capitalise on Verstappen's popularity, a Dutch Grand Prix would erode that support base significantly. Hockenheim has sought to split the costs with another venue for several years now, but right now they seem to be struggling to find another circuit to pair up with.
Mexico also looks vulnerable, with Obrador having questioned the value of the race in the past - whilst Perez seems to be optimistic a solution will be found, I am less optimistic given that there are other countries bidding for a race (having secured the Dakar Rally, there is talk that Saudi Arabia is now thinking of making a bid for an F1 race).
Personally, I don't think it's entirely out of the question that we could see both Hockenheim and Mexico drop off the calendar in 2020 as well.