MAY 11, 2019
Sao Paulo not giving up on F1
Sao Paulo governor Joao Doria says he is not giving up on the Brazilian grand prix.
Sao Paulo governor Joao Doria says he is not giving up on the Brazilian grand prix.
The country's president Jair Bolsonaro announced days ago that Rio de Janeiro will build a new circuit and take the race away from Sao Paulo for 2020.
The news shocked Sao Paulo's governor Doria.
"There is no dispute with Rio or Bolsonaro, but just imagine an investment that does not exist getting an international race track approved to organise Formula 1 in 2020," he said.
"We will not give up being the host of F1," Doria insisted.
Not just that, the Sao Paulo governor says the city has a firm contract with Liberty Media for 2020 with "strict clauses and heavy fines" for breaches on either side.
Sao Paulo mayor Bruno Covas agrees: "Since the end of the last grand prix we begun negotiations to renew the agreement from 2021.
"Next month we are discussing the terms of this renewal, and we have a meeting scheduled for June. Chase Carey will be here for another round of talks," he said.