Plans for Copenhagen GP thrown into doubt

Hopes that Denmark might hold its own Grand Prix on the streets of Copenhagen suffered a blow this week.

The popularity of Kevin Magnussen had put the country on a fast-track to host a race. However, disagreements between the municipal and national authorities over funding for the proposed event mean it might not happen at all.

Danish newspaper Politiken quoted Finance Minister Kristian Jensen as saying he didn't think the current proposals were reasonable.

“The government is prepared to put some money into the hosting of Formula 1 in Denmark," he said. "But we don't think it’s reasonable that the city where such a large event is to take place does not also contribute economically."

Other Danish cities such as Odense, Herning and Horsens have bid to host stages of the Giro d'Italia and Tour de France. But in each case they had made significant contributions to the costs, Jensen pointed out.

“We ask all cities to be a part [of funding] when a major sporting event is in town," he said. "So it is also fair for Copenhagen Municipality to do this."

Despite opposition from other political parties in the council, lord mayor Frank Jensen will continue talks with the government, and with private investor Lars Seier Christensen and former minister Helge Sander.

• Spa-Francorchamps signs 3-year extension for Belgian GP

It's believed that Liberty had been hoping to add a race in Copenhagen to the 2020 calendar, as well as a new event in Vietnam. Formula 1's commercial rights holders hope to stage a Miami Grand Prix as early as 2019.

It's unclear whether these new events will replace existing Grand Prixs, or add to the number of races on the calendar.

Spa just confirmed a three-ear extension to its current contract to host the Belgian Grand Prix, and Barcelona remains hopeful of continuing to hold the Spanish Grand Prix.

However the Italian race at Monza remains in doubt, and Silverstone has executed a break clause in its contract with Liberty which puts the British Grand Prix in doubt after 2019.

Malaysia ended its decade-long involvement in Formula 1 last year after complaining about the costs of hosting the Grand Prix at Sepang.

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