The governor of São Paulo has underlined his desire for the city to retain hosting duties of Formula 1’s Brazilian Grand Prix.
Brazil is currently Formula 1’s least lucrative flyaway event in terms of revenue but its television audience is the largest in the world.
The Brazilian Grand Prix has been held at São Paulo’s Interlagos Circuit since 1990 though its current contract with Formula 1 chiefs expires at the end of 2020.
Earlier this year plans were unveiled for a motorsport facility to be built in the Deodoro district on the outskirts of Rio de Janeiro, with the proposals backed by newly-elected President Jair Bolsonaro.
But São Paulo’s governor has emphasised that the city will not give up the fight to continue hosting the Brazilian Grand Prix beyond 2020.
“Formula 1 will not leave São Paulo,” governor João Doria is quoted by Terra.
“Rest assured that it will continue here. There was a lot of desire from Rio to take the F1, but from São Paulo it will not leave. We will not allow F1 to exit.
“Currently, we made arrangements with Liberty so that F1 will continue here in São Paulo.”
Formula 1 has yet to sign a contract with either city beyond 2020.
The championship is set to expand to a 22-race calendar next year with the addition of Vietnam and the Netherlands, while Germany is poised to drop from the schedule.
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