The mayor of Valencia has confirmed that the city will maintain its pursuit of a round of the Formula One world championship, despite recent suggestions that the series was still to 'Eurocentric'.
Rita Barbera reiterated that the Spanish city wanted to capitalise on Fernando Alonso's success and popularity by joining the F1 circus, but revealed that any grand prix would not necessarily run on the existing Circuit Ricardo Tormo.
"I want Valencia to have a Formula One race, and to have it where it is best suited," Barbera told
as.com, hinting that a street circuit may be viewed as an alternative to extending the current facility, "F1 attracts millions of spectators and thousands of visitors, and would be a magnificent opportunity to continue the growth of the city of Valencia".
The 2006 GP2 Series opener hinted at Valencia's F1 ambitions when it attracted Bernie Ecclestone to the Circuit Ricardo Tormo in April, but FIA president Max Mosley recently hinted that the grand prix series may need to expand if it is to keep its
existing roster of European events, let alone add more.
