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F1 could do without Monaco, says Ecclestone
Bernie Ecclestone thinks that Formula One could survive without its showpiece event on the calendar, the Monaco Grand Prix.
With India making its debut next year and the US Grand Prix returning to the 2012 calendar, Ecclestone also said that three Russian venues are under consideration with Moscow keen to stage a race in 2012.
The Formula One supremo is believed to be tied to a new agreement with team bosses to cap the annual calendar at 20 races. With eight of the 19 current races, F1's traditional heartland of Europe stages the most grands prix although the venues pay the lowest promotional fees. And Monaco is believed to pay nothing at all.
"The Europeans are going to have to pay more money or we will have to go somewhere else," said Ecclestone. "We can do without Monaco," he added, admitting that axing the famous street venue is unlikely although "they don't pay enough".