Ecclestone still wants F1 race in Las Vegas

Bernie Ecclestone says having a Formula One race in Las Vegas “would be super”, while the 85-year-old supremo casts further doubts on the future of the Italian Grand Prix.

The renowned ‘Sin City’ has already hosted the series twice, with the Caesar's Palace Grand Prix serving as the 1981 and 1982 season finales. Set up on the parking lot of the eponymous luxury hotel and casino, the track was not a popular one amongst teams and drivers.

Ecclestone has always been willing to add more American races to the F1 calendar, and this despite the current venue in Austin barely making it to the 2016 schedule.

“Vegas would be super,” the Formula One Group CEO told the Mail on Sunday. “They have a contract. I think the trouble is the pen. The organiser hasn’t got a pen.”

Ecclestone recently said he was “certain” that Monza would get a new deal to continue hosting the Italian Grand Prix. But the F1 commercial rights boss does not seem too chagrined at the prospect of losing one of the most historic events of the year should the agreement eventually fall flat.

“Monza has got a contract for this year so it is going to go ahead. Next year is the question mark.

“I don’t think we have to have an Italian Grand Prix. Somebody once told me a funny thing that you couldn’t have Formula One without a race in France. But we do [since 2008].”

With teams and drivers just starting F1’s longest campaign in history, Ecclestone adds that the calendar will not expand any further.

“We have got 21 races now. It could go more, but I don't think it will. It's enough. Some of the guys at the teams are shattered.”

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