Denmark still believes in F1 despite Copenhagen's withdrawal

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Denmark isn't giving up on its hopes of hosting an F1 race in the future despite the recent dilution of the company in charge of promoting the event in Copenhagen.

In 2017, the Danish capital had put in motion the idea of a race taking place on its streets, its plans gathering momentum earlier this year, with F1 CEO Chase Carey offering a positive view on the project.

Unfortunately, Copenhagen's local government dealt a blow to the event's prospects in September when city mayor Frank Jensen said the idea "carried too much risk" for the city and its residents.

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The local authority's negative stance led to the dissolution in November of the company that had been founded to promote Formula 1 in Copenhagen.

However, former government minister Helge Sander, who led the Copenhagen GP undertaking, insists that other cities have expressed their interest in picking up the baton from Denmark's capital.

"The positive vibe around Formula 1 has naturally caused other municipalities to react," Sander told Ekstra Bladet.

"If a sufficiently interesting project emerges elsewhere in Denmark, it should naturally be tried, provided the relevant practical, sustainable and economic conditions are fulfilled.

"We had to take in the shock of that announcement [from the mayor], but we have to accept that right now it is not possible to arrange a Formula 1 race in Copenhagen, even though I have received positive messages almost daily since the mayor's announcement."

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.