Ecclestone still eyeing New York GP

Although Ecclestone has already signed a deal for the US GP to return in 2012 at a purpose-built facility in Austin, Texas, that has not stopped him looking at other opportunities in the country.

And despite plans for a race in Liberty State Park falling through earlier this year, Ecclestone has said that another idea for an event in New York is being seriously considered.

"It's happening," he told AUTOSPORT. "We are talking to them and trying to do our best. Let's see what happens."

When asked how sure he was that the Texas race would go ahead, amid scepticism from some quarters about whether the funding exists for the event, Ecclestone said: "100 per cent."

Ecclestone has also played down the prospects of Spain's second race moving from Valencia to Mallorca in the next few years. He met with representatives of a new Mallorca track at the recent European Grand Prix, but has said there was no ongoing plan to change venues.

"There is no discussion for that," he said.