MAY 11, 2001

Bernie goes to Moscow

FORMULA 1 boss Bernie Ecclestone was in Moscow on Thursday to look at the plans being discussed for a Grand Prix in the city.

FORMULA 1 boss Bernie Ecclestone was in Moscow on Thursday to look at the plans being discussed for a Grand Prix in the city. The circuit being discussed will be built by Tom Walkinshaw's TWR company although there are worries about the project because of the shooting of the man who negotiated the deal for the track with TWR.

Ecclestone's visit does not mean much. He has said in recent years that he has little interest in taking F1 to Russia - not matter how much money is involved - because of the country's image as being a country which is run by organized crime. The Russians may have plenty of money but the important question is whether the race fits the image that F1 is trying to promote - and the answer to that is definitely no.

It remains to be seen whether money can speak louder than words.