Autosport Plus

MPH: Mark Hughes on...

...Ever decreasing circles of F1

Formula One may have lost the Canadian and Chinese Grands Prix from its long-term future. The Shanghai officials have stated that the fees they are being charged by F1 mean they are losing way too much money to make it a viable long-term venture. Those at Montreal, who have been working on a rescue package ever since their race was dropped from the calendar a few weeks ago, say much the same thing.

North America and China are two massively important markets for the car manufacturers. We are going for the first time next year to Abu Dhabi, a stone's throw away from Bahrain, a fixture on the calendar since 2004. Both venues are of tiny interest to the car manufacturers.