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F1 Tracks of 2011 and beyond: Rome approved, US underway, Sochi's Olympics

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Khatir Soltani
From GMM

Work underway at 2012 US GP site
Actual work at the 2012 site of the US grand prix in Austin, Texas, got underway this week with the groundbreaking at the 970-acre site commencing near the future Turn 11, the local Austin American Statesman newspaper reports.

At work on Thursday was a small fleet of heavy machinery, and among the first tasks was silt fences, the drilling of holes for earth samples, and the staking out of the layout by vegetation shredders.

The organisers gained conditional planning permission two weeks ago, having announced earlier in 2010 that construction would begin in December.

Organisers have said F1 authorities are advising them to have the circuit ready by June 2012, raising expectations the race will be paired on the calendar with Canada.

City officials approve Rome GP plans

City officials are not opposed to his plans for a formula one race in Rome, promoter Maurizio Flammini insists.

Despite the opposition of Monza, Ferrari and an apparent majority of local residents, the Italian said before Christmas that authorities would begin to review the plans for a street layout in the EUR district by the end of the month.

Flammini said on Thursday, one day before New Year's Eve: "I am very pleased that the city has taken an official decision and has approved the continuation of all activities so that the GP can take place in 2013."

Sochi priority for 2014 is Olympics, not F1
The contract for the inaugural Russian grand prix in 2014 allows for a postponement in the event that preparations for the Winter Olympics in the same city of Sochi are disrupted.

Earlier in December, the resort city's mayor admitted that the F1 race could be put back to 2015, amid the International Olympic Committee's fears that Sochi has taken on too ambitious a calendar.

The Sochi Olympics' organising committee chief Dmitry Chernyshenko admitted on Friday that if resources are stretched, F1 will take a back seat. He told insidethegames.biz that prime minister Vladimir Putin's priority for 2014 is the Games.

Chernyshenko revealed that he has "reassurances from our state leaders that if there should be some minor concerns (about) clashes with these two projects, then - in accordance to the contract between the host organisation and formula one owners - the first (F1) competition could hold on until 2015".
Khatir Soltani
Khatir Soltani
Automotive expert
As a car enthusiast, he tests and compares vehicles from different categories through the eyes of the consumer, ensuring relevant and objective reviews.
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