Zoom Hockenheim and other venues showing interest in joining the FOTA-created series

While the eight members of the Formula One Teams Association get ready to work out a calendar for its breakaway series, it is unclear how many current venues will be able to join the lineup.

What is apparently a leaked possible FOTA schedule for 2010 is doing the rounds, and several current tracks are mentioned: Monaco, Silverstone, Monza, Abu Dhabi, Singapore and Suzuka.

It is understood that Monaco's current contract does not provide exclusivity for the FIA and Bernie Ecclestone's FOM, while Silverstone is out of contract and would therefore be able to host a breakaway race.

Organisers of the new Abu Dhabi track have expressed interest in hosting both series, but whether this will be possible for Monza and Suzuka is not known.

Hockenheim has a contract to alternate the annual German Grand Prix with the Nurburgring, and has complained in recent times about the high cost - or guaranteed loss - of hosting the official F1 series.

However, the issue of contract is problematic, the CEO of the German race's organising body admitted.

"The Formula One contract is subject to English law," Karl Josef Schmidt is quoted as saying by the Schwetzinger Zeitung newspaper, indicating that Hockenheim would be keen to accommodate the breakaway.

"We will not appoint English lawyers to do an expensive appraisal before we know that it is absolutely necessary," he added.

Singapore's New Paper, meanwhile, cited a source close to the island Republic's new night race as indicating that its Formula One contract does not permit negotiations with a rival series.

Ecclestone's contract with Singapore runs through 2012.

When asked if Singapore could talk with the breakaway, the source said: "We already have one contract. How many do you want us to sign?"

D.B. © CAPSIS International
Source: GMM