Bernie says China GP will stay

Ecclestone guarantees F1 presence in China

Last updated: 18th April 2009   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Bernie says China GP will stay

Ecclestone: Determined

When I said I was going to bring Formula One to Asia everyone said I was mad.

Bernie Ecclestone
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Bernie Ecclestone is determined to keep Formula One in China despite dwindling local spectator and corporate interest in the sport.

The current deal for the Chinese Grand Prix, which has been in Shanghai since 2004, expires next year.

But, despite doubts about the future of the race, Ecclestone is confident that the situation will be resolved.

"As long as there is China, we will be here," he said. "It is good for a country to have the exposure."

The Formula One boss does, however, admit he is concerned about the failure of the event to attract the backing of local companies.

"At the moment most countries in the world are concerned about the commercial recession," he added.

Mad

"It is disappointing that it is not supported by local companies. I think they are missing an awful lot.

"In China nobody cares about brand names, and it is a good opportunity to get your brand out there."

Ecclestone believes the future of Formula One lies in Asia and is set to add further events in South Korea and India to the existing Grands Prix in Malaysia, Japan and Singapore.

He said "When I said I was going to bring Formula One to Asia everyone said I was mad.

"Asia is growing while lots of parts of the world are dying. That is the difference."

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