Ecclestone to buy Interlagos and save Brazilian GP? (2nd Update)

Ecclestone with his Brazilian wife Fabiana

UPDATE Not so fast – conflicting reports out of Brazil as politics drive the 'fake' news. Now comes work Sao Paulo’s local government has this week voted to exclude the circuit from a sale of city real estate which would have threatened its future as a motor racing facility altogether.

Mayor Bruno Covas, who does need to approve the concession, also spoke in support of the grand prix.

“There is no doubt that Sao Paulo can continue to host the grand prix," he declared.

“We have security, organisation and we carry out works annually for maintenance in the pits and paddocks."

This year’s Brazilian Grand Prix will again serve as the penultimate round of the season, from November 15-17.

05/17/19 Here is Bernie's chance to buy Interlagos. 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.

11/14/18 (GMM) Bernie Ecclestone is not saying whether he will leap to the rescue of the Brazilian grand prix.

The former F1 supremo, who lives part-time in the country and whose wife Fabiana heads their coffee brand Celebrity, has been linked with potentially buying Interlagos.

The circuit is being privatized, leaving the future of the Brazilian grand prix in doubt.

When asked about the race's future, 88-year-old Ecclestone told the Folha de S.Paulo newspaper: "I have no idea. It depends on the commercial prospects."

Pressed further, he added: "I don't have any news, and if I did I would not tell you or anyone else. But I'm pretty busy."

Ecclestone did praise the presidential election of the controversial right-wing Jair Bolsonaro, comparing him with Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin.

"Brazil needs a Putin. Brazilians should not be afraid," he said.

"I believe he (Bolsonaro) will do what is necessary. He will put Brazil back on the map and hopefully make the future happen sooner.

"I am certain he will do what is necessary," Ecclestone added.

As for the way Liberty Media is running F1 in his wake, the Briton has not hidden that he disagrees with many of the American company's tactics.

"They do things differently, but maybe it will work. Things work in America in a way that does not work anywhere else in the world," Ecclestone said.