Grapevine: Ecclestone Shows Interest in Russian GP

Russia could hold a Formula One race within two to three years if a new circuit near Moscow is completed on schedule, Bernie Ecclestone was quoted as saying on Friday.

"We can have a Russian Grand Prix within two to three years," the Formula One boss told Sport-Express newspaper.

"If people behind the project keep their promise of building a modern race track in Russia in the next two to three years, then it would be a right thing to have a Formula One race in Russia within two to three years.

"But everything will depend on particular circumstances. Let them first build a racetrack, then we'll see how soon we can have a race here."

Russians have been pushing hard to get into Formula One.

Last November, the Moscow City government signed a $100 million deal with Tom Walkinshaw, who owns the Arrows team, to build a modern track on Nagatino Island, a few kilometres south of the city's centre.

Work is set to start in Spring of 2001 and should be finished within two years.

Moscow also have a second project for a top class motorsport circuit, located to the north of the city, near international airport Sheremetjevo.