Valencia seeks cost cuts to save F1 race
31 July, 2012
Jul.31 (Reuters) Valencia regional president Alberto Fabra will continue talks with Formula One supremo Bernie Ecclestone to try to find a way to cut the cost of staging the European Grand Prix, a local official said on Monday.
Fabra was “in a process of negotiation to reduce the cost of the Formula One levy”, Serafin Castellano, secretary general of the region’s ruling party, was quoted in local media.
“[Formula One] is very important not only from an image point of view but also due to the economic impact, the creation of jobs and what that means for the Valencia region,” Castellano added.
Spain, home of Ferrari’s Fernando Alonso, is currently the only country with two races a year – the Spanish Grand Prix in Barcelona and the Valencia event, known as the European Grand Prix.
The two cities will begin alternating from next year, with the Catalan capital hosting a race in 2013 and Valencia in 2014.
Valencia is trying to reduce the cost of staging its race as cash-strapped local administrations are under pressure to make budget cuts as part of a central government austerity drive.
The region was the first to seek financial assistance from Madrid and used several state loans to repay its debts during the first half of 2012.
Subbed by AJN.
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- Valencia seeking lower F1 race fee
- Ferrari boss wants cost cuts but freer rules
Realistically, against Eccles, if you ain’t got the doh, you haven’t got a show. He already has several other cities clambering to host races, yes, clawing each other to be in the running. Melbourne is doomed unless they stump up and two races in one country is going to be so unlikely you might as well be racing on the moon.
Boring turd of a track just need to leave. We’ve got plenty of good races.
Australia, Malaysia, Monaco, Canada, Hungary, Spa, Monza, Singapore, India, USA, Brasil, Hockenheim, Nurburgring, Silverstone, Abu Dhabi… Half the tracks they don’t run anymore (Imola, Magny Cours, A1 Ring, Hermanos Rodriguez, Argentina) plus the newer additions (New Jersey).
Come to think of it, really, Get the hell out, Valencia. There’s enough good tracks to make a season and then some.