Further doubt over USGP after track owners draw up own contract
Last Updated: November 24, 2011 8:33pm
Bernie Ecclestone: Not happy with ongoing contract dispute
The owners of the Circuit of the Americas have described Bernie Ecclestone's demands for staging the United States Grand Prix as "unrealistic and unfeasible".
The proposed race in Austin has been thrown into serious doubt in recent weeks but COTA have now issued a statement in which they claim they are now prepared to pay Formula One the race sanctioning fee that will allow the event to go ahead.
However, they have also hit out at the race agreement that was sent to them and instead sent Ecclestone their own version in return, which they have now requested him to sign.
COTA founding partner Bobby Epstein said: "We have been ready to send Mr Ecclestone a sanctioning fee cheque for some time now.
"He hasn't received it yet because the new contract presented to us two weeks ago contained unrealistic and unfeasible demands.
"We have signed and returned a contract similar to what we anticipated receiving."
Epstein added: "This race should be a reality, but if we are going to make the 2012 race date, we must receive a countersignature in the coming few days.
Enthusiasm
"We believe the teams, fans, sponsors and local business share our enthusiasm and hope their voices will be heard."
COTA further claim they have offered to establish an advance payment schedule for USGP races beyond 2012.
However, Ecclestone stood his ground when talking about the subject in the Interlagos paddock ahead of Sunday's Brazilian Grand Prix.
Ecclestone said: "The truth is they're not complying with the terms and conditions of the contract.
"As we make the contract we will award the event, or not award the event. They're not awarding anything to us.
"They know what it (the contract) is exactly. They've been messing around now for four months. They've had two different partners arguing, and in the end none of them have the money."
Asked whether the race would happen, Ecclestone said: "I doubt it."
When the "unrealistic and unfeasible" remark was put to Ecclestone, he said: "Yeah, well they shouldn't sign it. My advice to them is don't sign it, and they probably won't get the opportunity."
Credit: Sky Sports (www.skysports.com)
No comments:
Post a Comment