Formula One: Tug for Bulgarian and Italian Grand Prix begins
After the influx of several other races, finally the Bulgarian Grand Prix also gets prepared to enter the Formula One calendar. Some of the early news even suggests that the organisers want a slot as soon as possible, so 2012 might be seen hosting the first
race in Bulgaria.
Negotiations are being carried between Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA) and the South East European Country's Motor Racing Federation for a considerable time now. If all settles down soon, a contract is expected to be signed by the end of
next month.
The Formula One Supremo, Bernie Ecclestone has been keen to take the race to Bulgarian soil as well, like several other new places that had been added in the Formula One calendar in the past few years. Many of the newspapers reported after the Italian Grand
prix, that Ecclestone has met with the country's economy minister to carry some discussion for the final agreement.
Now, the news had been officially confirmed as the Bulgarian Motorcycling Federation chairman, Bogdan Nikolov, said earlier today that if the government is able to find a funding association, the contract would be signed very soon. Presently, the government
is carrying talks with some of the Arab, US and Canadian consortiums and is expected to settle the matter very soon. As per the initial reports, Nikolov has said that he expects to invite Ecclestone to Sofia to finalise the deal somewhere between November
15th and December 15th.
"We have created a project that meets the requirements of both FIA and FIM (MotoGP governing body)," Nikolov stated earlier today while talking to some of the local reports.
As this news came to forefront, the future of Rome's agreement for a city-based Grand Prix seemed shaky. Rome was expected to hold a city-race in 2012 or 13, however with the current situation it appears that this is not going to lapse away.
In the last few months, many sources disclosed the news that Ecclestone has settled a contract of five-year contract with the Roman authorities. However, now as the official reports came out, the country’s authorities have disclosed that only a letter of
purpose was signed between the two at Monza.
The Roman mayor Gianni Alemanno, while talking to the media earlier today said,
"I will soon meet with Ecclestone to confirm the letter of intent that has been signed and never revoked. If someone thinks I want to make a mess of the EUR, they are making a big mistake. Rather, we want to enrich the city's image. Research shows that
the majority of Rome residents, although not an overwhelming one, are in favour."
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