Long Beach postpones F1 decision

F1 will have to wait to know if it can return to Long Beach.

It emerged that at a city council meeting this week, the issue of opening up the street race lease to bidders - including F1 - would be on the agenda.

"We just want a fair process where qualified people can bid on it," confirmed Chris Pook, F1’s original Long Beach pioneer who is reportedly now working closely with Bernie Ecclestone.

But German-language Speed Week reports that while the issue was indeed discussed by the Californian city’s council this week, a judgement was postponed.

The correspondent said that while some want Long Beach to keep Indycar on the streets, others would welcome the return of formula one.

"So the council decided that more information should be obtained in order to get a clearer picture."

One councilman confirmed: "While the current (Indycar) Long Beach grand prix is a successful event for all parties, the question is whether or not there is an opportunity to do even better with a formula one option."