Grapevine: Street circuit key to Valencia GP

Despite the local Ricardo Tormo circuit having been set for a revamp to make it suitable for a Grand Prix, Spanish media claim that F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone is now insisting upon the need to build an urban venue for the event.

Ecclestone visited the Spanish city this week, along with track designer Hermann Tilke and members of the Valencian government, to look at possible sites for a Grand Prix.

The preferred location for the track would be along the port side of the city and near the Ciudad de las Artes, the state-of-the-art facilities that some F1 teams have used to unveil their new cars in the past.

Hospitality, paddock and administration offices could be based around the current buildings erected for the America's Cup.

Spanish media reports the plans to have a Valencia street race have come as a surprise to the Ricardo Tormo officials, who earlier this year announced plans for a major revamp of its layout and infrastructure to make it suitable for an F1 race.

The circuit already hosts F1 testing for a significant part of the year.

Ecclestone had originally met with members of the Valencian government in April.