Formula One in Brazil to be moved to Rio in 2020

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‍Next year's Formula One Grand Prix in Brazil will move to a new purpose-built circuit in Rio de Janeiro after a three-decade-long association with Sao Paulo, President Jair Bolsonaro said Wednesday.

"A new motor-racing track is going to be built. The construction will take six to seven months, and the Brazil Grand Prix will be held in Rio de Janeiro next year," Bolsonaro said during a military ceremony in the city.

Screenshot from Brazilian President's Twitter

The President also suggested on Twitter that the new track could be named after Brazilian F1 driver Ayrton Senna, who is widely regarded as one of the greatest in F1's history, but unfortunately died in an accident in a race in 1994.

Bolsonaro promised the new track, to be located in the Deodoro region in the western part of the city, would be built "without public money" and that it would generate up to 7,000 new jobs.

People sign a giant placard bearing a portrait of Brazilian's F1 driver Ayrton Senna during a tribute ceremony marking the 25th anniversary of his death in San Paulo, Brazil, May 1, 2019. /VCG Photo

Deodoro was used as a venue for some events at the 2016 Olympics, including equestrian, field hockey and modern pentathlon.

The Brazilian race was held in Rio in 1978, and then from 1981 to 1989, before returning to its original home at the Interlagos circuit the following year.

(With inputs from AFP and Reuters)

(Frontpage photo shows Brazilian's F1 driver Ayrton Senna's Lotus 1985 JPS team on display during a tribute ceremony marking the 25th anniversary of his death in San Paulo, May 1, 2019. /VCG Photo)