Hungarian Grand Prix Inks New F1 Deal, Indian Race Could Face Axe for 2014

F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone has struck a new deal with national government to have the Hungarian Grand Prix on the Formula 1 calendar until 2021.

Photographers were assembled ahead of Sunday’s race to see the F1 boss sign the contract along with Hungarian Minister of National Development Zsuzsanna Nemeth.

“It is an extension of what we had until 2021. The whole atmosphere is good here, it is old style and we are going to see the same in Austria,” Bernie Ecclestone told Sky Sports F1’s Martin Brundle on his grid walk.

The Hungaroring made its debut in 1986 and only Monaco and Italy’s Monza circuit have been on the calendar for longer uninterrupted spells.

Indian GP in Danger

Ecclestone has also revealed the Indian Grand Prix, which has a contract until 2015, may face the chop from next year’s calendar.

New races are planned in New Jersey and Russia, whilst Red Bull confirmed last week that the Austrian GP will return for the first time since 2003.

Added to the existing calendar, those events would increase the calendar to 22 races, but the teams are keen to ensure there are no more than 20 grands prix.

“Is India going to happen next year? Probably not,” Ecclestone said. When pressed for a reason why he added: “Very political.”

However, despite Ecclestone’s comments race promoters Jaypee Sports are keen for the grand prix to continue until at least 2015.

“We have not got anything in writing from the Formula One management regarding the status of the 2014 Indian Grand Prix,” Jaypee spokesman Askari Zaidi said.

“We are keen that Formula 1 races take place in India at the Buddh International Circuit until our contract is in operation that is 2015.”

Indian Motorsport President Vicky Chandok believes the race will return in an early season slot in 2015.

“I work closely with both, the Jaypee Group and Bernie. Apparently they are trying to find a mutually convenient date to start early in the year in 2015,” Chandhok said.

“With that in mind, 2014 obviously doesn’t make logical sense and nobody can afford to have a late start in 2014 and then host another grand prix early 2015.

“I think what they are trying is to find a solution to run 2015 early in the year and 2016 instead of 2014 late.”

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