24/11/2011
NEWS STORY
Hopes of a 2012 United States Grand Prix remain in doubt as Bernie Ecclestone dismisses eleventh hour bid by circuit owners.
Speaking to reporters in the wake of tonight's offer from Circuit of the Americas (COTA) bosses, who said they are ready to pay the necessary race sanction fee, Ecclestone remained unimpressed.
Asked if he thought the race would go ahead next season, the Englishman replied: "I doubt it". However, when asked if the event could return to the calendar for 2013 he responded: "Absolutely".
Referring to the COTA statement, which he clutched in his hands, he said: "The truth is they're not complying with the terms and conditions of the contract. And as we make the contract, we will award the event or not award the event. They are not awarding anything to us.
"It's normal," he added. "They have been messing around now for four months, there's two partners arguing and two different groups arguing with each other and in the end none of them have got the money."
In COTA's statement, Bobby Epstein, founding partner of the Circuit of The Americas, said that the latest contract offered by Ecclestone contained "unrealistic and unfeasible demands".