Green Light for New Moscow Circuit

The chances of a Russian Grand Prix making it onto the 2003 Formula One calendar were boosted last weekend when the mayor of Moscow approved plans for the new circuit.

The announcement means that work will now begin on the Nagatino island, just outside Moscow, next month. Arrows boss Tom Walkinshaw has committed his TWR company to join up with project leader Grigori Antioufeev and Bernie Ecclestone has pledged his support for the race.

"The final decision to proceed was taken on Thursday and it is not going to be considered again now," said Antioufeev. "It goes ahead."

The draft project is believed to have a budget of $3.5 million (dollars), and detailed plans are now at an advanced stage for the 3.6-km track.

Antioufeev says the city was working to raise millions of dollars to fund the construction of the circuit, designed by Austrian Hermann Tilke, designer of the state-of-the-art Sepang facility in Malaysia.

The Moscow circuit plans include a yacht club, hotels with accommodation for 1000 visitors and a kart track amid various other commercial enterprises