Russian Sports Minister Vitaly Mutko said that the country "is not likely to push for a second Russian Grand Prix on the Formula One calendar." F1 CEO Bernie Ecclestone said at Sochi last weekend that he "is so happy with the race" and Russian President Vladimir Putin's support that he would like to see more Russian Grands Prix take place each year.
Money and World Cup football, however, "are two hurdles that will keep any ideas of a second or third GP race for the country on hold." Mutko: "Of course he would be happy with two or three races in Russia, but the financial requirements of Formula One are too high. So it is not easy, even if there is already another track near Moscow" (GMM, 5/3).
EVENT BRIEFS ...
A plan to replace June's Formula E event in Moscow with a race in Monaco "has fallen through." After it became clear that the Moscow ePrix would not take place as planned on June 4, Formula E "started discussions with the Principality of Monaco." The planned Monaco ePrix "needed the blessing of Prince Albert of Monaco and the Automobile Club de Monaco." But despite the best efforts of all parties, the race "will not be taking place due to time constraints on clearing the infrastructure of the track in time for the Longines Global Champions Show Jumping event, also held in June" (MOTORSPORT, 5/5).
Nelson Mandela’s former bodyguard Rory Steyn "has weighed into the decades-old controversy over the All Blacks’ 1995 Rugby World Cup loss to South Africa, claiming bookmakers spiked the New Zealanders’ drinks ahead of the final." The Jonah Lomu-inspired All Blacks "went into the decider as red-hot favourites, only to lose 15-12 in extra time." Steyn "was part of the All Blacks’ security detail at the tournament and said he was certain something untoward took place." He said, "I know what I saw ... a team of guys lying on the floor, very, very ill. I don’t think it was the food, I think it was the coffee and the tea and possibly even the drinking water."
He believes that "bookies were behind the move" (AFP, 5/5).
