Lewis Hamilton won this year's Brazilian GP.GETTY IMAGES
The long-term future of the Brazilian Formula 1 Grand Prix "remains uncertain," according to Marcelo Teixeira of REUTERS. The existing contract expires in '20 and negotiations, which were "difficult in the past due to demands for costly improvements" of the São Paulo circuit, "may not prove to be straightforward." The local government said that it intends to privatize the facility "as part of plans to reduce public expenditures for the city." São Paulo Mayor Bruno Covas attended Sunday's race and said that the city plans to "push ahead" with privatization and "secure the race's future." Covas said, "The race is important for the city, we have all the interest to keep it." The final privatization model, which has "concerned some in Brazilian motor racing" with a proposal for residential buildings on part of the site, is "considered a key to the extension talks." Interlagos is the only South American race on the calendar but Brazil no longer has any drivers competing in F1. An F1 spokesperson said that there is "no rush to secure a contract extension for Brazil" and there is "still plenty of time." He added, "Brazil is an important country for F1" (REUTERS, 11/12).
