After Turkey, Austria is favored to host a Grand Prix in 2013?
Declared as a candidate to host a Grand Prix after the FIA's decision to open a slot for another European event, Turkey has indeed reached an agreement with Bernie Ecclestone but sees its hopes of returning to the calendar fade due to a lack of government financial support. Austria could therefore host a Grand Prix on July 21, 2013, while the FIA's decision prompts the Festival of Speed at Goodwood to revise its program.

Following the FIA’s decision to move the 2013 German Grand Prix forward by a week, Turkey seemed to be in pole position to make its return to the calendar next July 21st. On Thursday, the President of the Turkish Automobile Sports Federation, Demire Berberoglu, indicated that an agreement had been reached between Bernie Ecclestone and Varul Ak, the new leaseholder of Istanbul Park, but it was now up to the government to play its part: « Everyone knows that what is required for our presence on the 2013 Formula 1 calendar, and beyond, is a guarantee and the approval of the necessary budget at the governmental level. It will depend on the decision of the prime minister. »
Indeed, if Varul Ak was hoping that Bernie Ecclestone would lower the organization fees, which the Briton seemed visibly inclined to do, it nonetheless remains that he was primarily counting on a government aid of 13.5 million dollars that he will ultimately not receive: « If they wish, the private sector can help Formula 1 return, but it is not for us to cover the fees that were proposed to a private company to bring Formula 1 back, » declares Suat Kilic, the Turkish sports minister, to the Dogan news agency. « Our government paid 13.5 million dollars a year to the organizers, over five years, for the acquisition of the rights. In exchange for this, all the benefits went to the organizers and the state did not gain any benefit. »
Given the time constraints, it seems unlikely that Varul Ak could secure private investors for the amount of $13.5 million, unless he increases his initial contribution of $5 million and/or obtains another discount from Bernie Ecclestone. Therefore, hosting an Austrian Grand Prix, supported by Red Bull and organized at the Red Bull Ring, now appears to be the frontrunner, provided Dietrich Mateschitz agrees to finance the event. According to Christian Sylt for *Eurosport*, the FOM registered the name *Grosser Preis von Österreich* on January 8th, which means that, with the Red Bull Ring being certified for Formula 1 and the name registered, there is technically nothing preventing an Austrian Grand Prix from being held in the near future.
In any case, the FIA’s decision to allocate a date for another European Grand Prix in 2013 is not without consequences, as the organizers of the famous Festival of Speed in Goodwood will have to reconsider their plans for 2013. Following the FIA’s announcement of an unexpected change to the 2013 Formula 1 calendar, the German Grand Prix will now take place from July 5 to 7, 2013, on the date originally scheduled for the Festival of Speed in Goodwood, explain the organizers on their website. Since the Festival is the only event in the world, outside of the Grand Prix races, where one can see recent F1 cars up close and the drivers in action, we will have to change its date to avoid this calendar conflict. Goodwood is currently reviewing the dates for the 2013 Festival and will confirm them very soon. We apologize for any inconvenience this change may cause, but it is unfortunately beyond Goodwood’s control. The Festival’s organization assures, however, that the tickets already sold will remain valid.