F1 wants V8 Supercars to support 2011 Singapore GP

Bernie Ecclestone is working to install the Australian touring car category V8 Supercars as a support event for next year’s Singapore grand prix.

Martin Whitaker, a Briton who has long been involved in F1 and was recently boss of the Bahrain track, is now CEO of the Australian series.

He told V8X magazine that formula one officials "want us (V8 Supercars) to go there (Singapore)".

"He (F1 chief executive Ecclestone) would love to have us there in an earlier timeslot. It’s better for the spectators, better for the city and puts an extra four hours on to the show as far as Singapore is concerned," added Whitaker.

The V8 race would probably not count for championship points, due to the clashing television rights of V8 (Channel 7) and F1 (Network Ten) within Australia.

Whitmaker admitted that the TV issue is "clearly one of the things we would have to work at" before the Singapore round can be confirmed.

The ongoing negotiations means that V8 Supercars has delayed until October the release of its 2011 calendar.