Rio set to replace Interlagos as Brazil GP host? (2nd Update)

Interlagos not giving up

UPDATE (GMM) Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo are now locked in a struggle to be the future host of the Brazilian GP.

Currently, the race is held at Interlagos, a neighborhood of Sao Paulo. But recently, new Brazilian president Jair Bolsonaro caused a major stir by saying the race would be held at a new track in Rio in 2020.

That has now been ruled out, with Sao Paulo insisting on its 2020 contract with F1 and even the Rio organizers denying that a track can be built that quickly.

"In reality, the expected duration of construction is 16 to 17 months," JR Pereira, boss of Rio Motorsports, told Agence France Presse.

Not just that, Sao Paulo is fighting for a new contract beyond 2020.

"The grand prix will take place in Interlagos in 2020 and stay here," state governor Joao Doria insisted.

"If Rio wants to compete with Sao Paulo, I can guarantee that Sao Paulo is more likely to win."

05/17/19 The Interlagos track which hosts the Brazilian Grand Prix could soon be up for sale.

Sao Paulo city council approved a bill that allows the sale by a vote of 31-10 on Thursday.

Mayor Bruno Covas, who crafted the bill when he was a councilor, will have the final say on the issue.

Interlagos held its first Formula One race in 1972.

In 1978, the race moved to Rio de Janeiro's Jacarepagua autodrome, but it returned to Sao Paulo in 1990 and remained.

Sao Paulo council's decision comes after F1 owners said they could return to Rio after the Interlagos contract expires in 2020.

Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro has said Rio will have a new track for F1.

New Rio track

05/09/19 (GMM) Rio de Janeiro is on track to replace Interlagos as host of the 2020 Brazilian grand prix.

We reported two weeks ago that F1 commercial boss Sean Bratches wrote to Brazilian president Jair Bolsonaro in support of the move from Sao Paulo.

The race would take place on a new track in Deodoro, a neighborhood in Rio's west zone. Bratches said in Baku: "I can confirm the letter."

Now, president Bolsonaro has announced that Rio will indeed host Formula 1 in 2020.

"The Rio de Janeiro circuit will be finished six or seven months after the start of construction work," he told reporters.

Interlagos claims it has a valid contract for 2020, but Bolsonaro said the circuit is collapsing under "huge debts".

"There is a contract in place to hold the Brazilian grand prix in Sao Paulo until 2020 and both sides continue to honor their commitments," Interpub, the company that organizers the Interlagos race, said in a statement.

And the Sao Paulo city government added: "Talks are even going ahead to extend the current contract."