Ecclestone sure about Russia, not about New York

Bernie Ecclestone insists formula one is definitely going to controversial Russia — but he is much less sure about a race in New York.

After the FIA approved the Sochi circuit for its inaugural October race, F1’s ’supremo’ said the unstable political situation regarding Russia’s Ukraine conflict and the MH17 atrocity has nothing to do with the sport.

"We have a contract," he said at Spa-Francorchamps. "Our friends there are happy with the contract. We are happy. We will be there.

"If people have arguments with Russia, maybe they have, but we haven’t got any," the 83-year-old Briton insisted.

As for the on-again, off-again prospect of a New Jersey street race amid the fabled Manhattan skyline, Ecclestone was far less certain.

"I honestly don’t think so," he answered when asked if F1 will soon be adding a second US destination.

"They still have the same problems they had in the beginning. Nothing has changed."