Chase Carey visits Rio de Janeiro over potential F1 deal

By  Azertac 

Liberty Media CEO Chase Carey has reportedly visited the city of Rio de Janeiro to scout if a potential Grand Prix could work, as the privatisation of Interlagos in Sao Paulo could be an issue with future deals, according to GPblog.com.

Brazil always has been and still is one of the biggest markets in the world in terms of F1 fans. The crowd at Interlagos arguably is the best one out of every race on the calendar.

However, Liberty Media don't like the fact that Interlagos is going private, and with the Bernie Ecclestone-era deal with the circuit expiring in two years time, Carey is reviewing his options.

Globo in Brazil reported that Rio de Janeiro is very interested in getting the Brazilian Grand Prix to their city once the deal with Interlagos expires in 2020. Carey met with Rio's governor Luiz Fernando Pezao among others to discuss where and how a potential circuit would be built.

"Shortly after the race at Interlagos, Carey slept in Rio and had a long schedule of meetings on Monday," the report from Fred Sabino reads.

"When I woke up in Rio and saw the sea, I realised that it could be a good idea to bring Formula 1 to the city," Carey reportedly told the governor when they met.

Rio has had an F1 circuit in the past - Jacarepagua. That circuit was demolished in 2008, though, to make room for Olympic training facilities.