Formula One has confirmed this evening that Interlagos will continue to host the Brazilian Grand Prix until 2025.
“We are pleased to announce the city of São Paulo will continue to host the Brazilian Grand Prix until 2025 and look forward to working with our new promoter in the years ahead,” Chase Carey, the outgoing CEO of Formula One, said in a statement.
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“Brazil is a very important market for Formula 1 with devoted fans and a long history in the sport.
“The race in Brazil has always been a highlight for our fans, the drivers and our partners and we look forward to providing Formula 1 fans with an exciting race at Interlagos in 2021 and over the next five years,” Carey added.
Meanwhile, Bruno Covas, the mayor of Sao Paulo, said they made a “tremendous effort” to keep the Brazilian Grand Prix in the city amid a proposal to race at a new venue in Rio.
“It is a great joy to be able to announce that Interlagos will continue to host one of the of the most important events in world motorsports,” Covas said.
“We made a tremendous effort to keep the race in our city. We have robust infrastructure for tourists, public safety and offer top-notch services.
“We believe that hosting the grand prix, in addition to promoting our city to the world, will continue to bring important contributions such as job creation and income generation.”
He added that according to studies he has seen, “for every R$1 invested in the São Paulo GP, R$5.20 is generated for the local economy.”
Next season’s race at Interlagos, the 2021 Formula 1 Grande Prêmio de São Paulo, will take place on 14 November.
Formula One also announced today that there is a new organiser for the event in the form of Brasil Motorsport, which is owned by investment entities controlled by Mubadala, an Abu Dhabi-based global investment company.
Alan Adler has been appointed by Mubadala to lead this new partnership with Formula One.
“We are very excited to be able to work with Formula 1,” Adler said.
“The F1 race has been held in Interlagos since the 1980s, and it is one of the most respected circuits on the calendar.
“Brazilians are motorsports and speed enthusiasts, and Brazil has a long tradition of producing great drivers, which in turn has created a great legion of F1 fans in our country.
“I believe that due to our experience working with reputable global brands, we can do a great job at uniting sports, brands, and entertainment. With this, we will be able to provide new experiences for the public, both on and off the track.”
It’s unclear which venue will host the event after 2025 and whether or not Formula One has abandoned plans to race in Rio after triggering backlash from environmentalist groups and stakeholders of the sport, including seven-time World Champion Lewis Hamilton.
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