From GMM
F1 could return to Canada, and New York is the only viable alternative to Indianapolis for a US grand prix, the sport's chief executive Bernie Ecclestone has admitted.
Following falling outs with both North American venues, the F1 chief executive is now under intense pressure to take his sport back to what is arguably the world's most important market.
Reports that Montreal could be reinstated to replace struggling new venue Abu Dhabi were wide of the mark, but 78-year-old Ecclestone admits he has not forgotten about the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve.
"We are trying to get that back on again," he told Motor Sport magazine. "The government is interested."
The British billionaire is less keen on making up with the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, saying instead he is interested in pursuing options in New York.
"It is the one place where someone could make a business out of it," he said.
"Apart from Indianapolis ... there is nowhere in America we could go to and hold our head up and say 'this is comparable to other circuits we are building around the world'," he added.
Ecclestone cautioned that reinstating North American races also depends on teams agreeing to more than 17 grands prix per season.
In the meantime, Britain's motor racing authority has played down speculation the Donington circuit is not licensed to host the grand prix next year.
Earlier this month, it emerged that the venue had failed to be granted a racing license by the Motor Sports Association (MSA) because recent renovations compromised driver safety.
But a MSA spokesman subsequently told the Guardian: "It should be understood that this matter is not in any way connected to Donington Park's contract to host the British grand prix from 2010."
He added that the body will "continue to work" with the circuit to address the current issues.
It is expected that FIA officials will inspect Donington this week.
It is also suggested that, despite a conspicuous delay, track boss Simon Gillett is poised to announce details about the debenture funding scheme.
F1 could return to Canada, and New York is the only viable alternative to Indianapolis for a US grand prix, the sport's chief executive Bernie Ecclestone has admitted.
Following falling outs with both North American venues, the F1 chief executive is now under intense pressure to take his sport back to what is arguably the world's most important market.
Reports that Montreal could be reinstated to replace struggling new venue Abu Dhabi were wide of the mark, but 78-year-old Ecclestone admits he has not forgotten about the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve.
"We are trying to get that back on again," he told Motor Sport magazine. "The government is interested."
The British billionaire is less keen on making up with the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, saying instead he is interested in pursuing options in New York.
"It is the one place where someone could make a business out of it," he said.
"Apart from Indianapolis ... there is nowhere in America we could go to and hold our head up and say 'this is comparable to other circuits we are building around the world'," he added.
Ecclestone cautioned that reinstating North American races also depends on teams agreeing to more than 17 grands prix per season.
In the meantime, Britain's motor racing authority has played down speculation the Donington circuit is not licensed to host the grand prix next year.
Earlier this month, it emerged that the venue had failed to be granted a racing license by the Motor Sports Association (MSA) because recent renovations compromised driver safety.
But a MSA spokesman subsequently told the Guardian: "It should be understood that this matter is not in any way connected to Donington Park's contract to host the British grand prix from 2010."
He added that the body will "continue to work" with the circuit to address the current issues.
It is expected that FIA officials will inspect Donington this week.
It is also suggested that, despite a conspicuous delay, track boss Simon Gillett is poised to announce details about the debenture funding scheme.