F1: COTA Is Fantastic, Says Ecclestone

Formula 1

F1: COTA Is Fantastic, Says Ecclestone

F1 boss Bernie Ecclestone is heaping praise on the new Circuit of the Americas...

Adam Cooper | http://www.speedtv.com | Posted November 15, 2012 Austin, TX

Bernie Ecclestone says he’s happy with the way Circuit of the Americas has turned out. (Photo: Getty Images)

Bernie Ecclestone says he’s happy with the way Circuit of the Americas has turned out, and the Formula One chief executive is full of praise for the new Austin, Texas, venue.

“I think the circuit itself is absolutely fantastic,” said Ecclestone on Thursday. “Everything they’ve done is unbelievable, everything we asked for they did. I think everything is fantastic. Everybody seems happy. I had a complaint about the weather not being hot as people were expecting! They’ve done a super job. Couldn’t ask for anything better.”

Regarding the best way to grow the sport in the United States, Ecclestone joked: “Have maybe 10 races like we have in Europe – same population, same size.

“I think America can probably last without F1, and I suppose F1 can probably last without America. But it’s good to be here.”

He also had some tongue-in-cheek comments about another race on the continent.

“I’ve been asked this morning about – what’s that place next door, Mexico isn’t it? I said this is all you’ve got to build, and we’re in business.”

Ecclestone confirmed that F1 would not return to the old Mexico City circuit: “Definitely not.”

Adam Cooper notched up his 27th season as a racing journalist in 2011. He has written about F1 for SPEED.com since 2005. Follow him on Twitter.