Fans of the Spanish grand prix have been told to not be alarmed by the recent comments of new Catalonian president Artur Mas.<\/p>\n
On a visit to the formula one test at the Circuit de Catalunya last weekend, Mas said he was only able to guarantee that the 2011 race will take place.<\/p>\n
But Salvador Servia, the new director of the track, has indicated to Spain’s El Mundo Deportivo newspaper that Mas’ comments were merely the trigger for negotiations.<\/p>\n
Amid reports the current annual sanctioning fee of EUR 13 million is set to rise steadily until it has doubled by 2016, he said the current contract was negotiated by a different team.<\/p>\n
“Many people were alarmed at the words of Artur Mas,” he acknowledged, “but they (the comments) were realistic in the current context.<\/p>\n
“To me, the most important thing was that the president of the Generalitat was at our circuit not for a grand prix but for testing.\u00a0 This is a sign of commitment,” said Servia.<\/p>\n
He said the 2012 race is also likely to take place at the Circuit de Catalunya, to be followed by a negotiation about the future.<\/p>\n
“With the current context, by 2016 – the final year of the contract – we would have to pay an unaffordable amount,” explained Servia.<\/p>\n
He acknowledged that the negotiations will be tough.<\/p>\n
“It is not easy to negotiate with people who have a monopoly but we are in difficult times and Ecclestone knows that,” said Servia.<\/p>\n
“We will do everything possible to keep the grand prix.\u00a0 Ecclestone, of course, will defend his business, but we have good arguments too.<\/p>\n
“And he will also bear in mind many other factors apart from money,” he added.<\/p>\n
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