Bernie Ecclestone says the Brazilian Grand Prix could switch from Sao Paulo’s Interlagos to Rio de Janeiro come 2016.
The 82-year-old has long bemoaned the facilities at Interlagos which are outdated and require a lot of work to match other circuits on the calendar.
Speaking to the Daily Mail he admitted the possibility of moving to the rival city was an option after reassurances from the local mayor that they could be ready in 2016 to coincide with the 2016 Olympic Games.
“The mayor has told me they can get it done,” he said.
“I have been unhappy with Sao Paulo for a long time. It’s a super race track, but the facilities need a big facelift.
“We could be there [in Rio] for Olympic year, but I know how hard it was for London to run just the Olympics.”
The last race to be held in Rio was the 1989 Brazilian GP at the Jacarepaguá circuit which has now been demolished to make way for Olympic facilities.