F1 CEO Bernie Ecclestone has revealed that Singapore Grand Prix chiefs "no longer want to hold a Formula 1 race there," according to Jonathan Noble of MOTORSPORT. There has been speculation for several months that Singapore "was questioning whether or not it would renew its current contract, which runs out after next year’s race." But in an interview with German publication Auto Motor Und Sport on Sunday, Ecclestone said that his belief was that Singapore "was not going to extend its race deal." He also said that "he would not be surprised if some of the current manufacturers" -- including world champion Mercedes -- quit in the next few years, too. He said, “It could happen to us that Mercedes and Ferrari run away. But honestly, if the races get better, this may not be such a terrible vision." The doubts about the long-term future of the Singapore GP "come amid serious question marks about both the German and Brazilian Grands Prix" for '17. Speaking about the races that have not yet been confirmed, Ecclestone said, “We do our best to keep Canada on the calendar. In Brazil we try the same, even if it is difficult. In terms of Hockenheim. We cannot subsidize the race in Germany, if we do not do the same with other races in Europe" (MOTORSPORT, 11/20).
TWO FOR ONE: The LONDON TIMES' Bob McKenzie wrote Ecclestone discussed "the end of the traditional grand prix." Ecclestone: "People have a much shorter attention span and a lot of sports are looking at introducing shorter forms of their games. The television audiences went up for Brazil. We had a long race with the heavy rain and a couple of crashes but that meant we had two starts because of the red flags and people tuned in. We need to look at the traditional concept of one long race. Two 40-minute races with a 40-minute break in the middle when the drivers could be interviewed, cars worked on, would be attractive to viewers, the TV companies, the sponsors, and advertisers would love it. Cars would qualify on a Saturday as usual for the first race and that would set the grid for the second. It would shake things up with lighter, faster cars. But I don’t know if we have the courage to change. Times change though and it is something we must look at. All American sports have time-outs built in, mainly because American audiences can’t concentrate. They grow up with everything in 15-minute segments on TV. People are the same everywhere now" (LONDON TIMES, 11/20).
WORLD POLITICS: The SID reported Ecclestone "has outed himself as a fan of new U.S. President Donald Trump." He said, "Perfect. Good for the world, good for America. He is flexible. And he's willing to make the changes that America and the world need." The 86-year-old is also a supporter of the U.K.'s decision to leave the European Union. He said, "England didn't want to be governed by other countries. I'm very certain that two or three other countries will follow this example" (SID, 11/20).
