"Formula 1 with the Acropolis in the background" was what Bernie Ecclestone, the then powerful man in the crown of motorsport, said to the Greek government in 2008, as a burning desire of the organiser. But with his excessive demands, he essentially turned on a red light in such a perspective.
The facts have changed since then. Now the American media company that has bought the rights to Formula 1 makes the promotion and communication of the championship a top priority. So what could be more spectacular than a Formula 1 race in the city that gave the lights of civilization to Europe, with a seaside background and endless blue?
The Athenian Grand Prix can be held, and indeed not on a track, which has particularly irritated Liberty recently. Something similar will happen this year with the new GP, that of Las Vegas, which is expected to surpass even Monaco in terms of interest and turnover – also a race on public roads.
ATHENS GP
According to News Auto, the place that will soon be a candidate to host GP Athens is Elliniko, specifically the streets and the metropolitan park of "The Ellinikon", built by Lamda Development.
In fact, in the studies submitted by the construction companies, it has been requested to take into account the possibility of easy adaptation, according to the needs of such a huge event and without disturbing residents and businesses.
We learn that the organisers of F1 have been stunned by what is in store at Elliniko, and are ready to give the green light even before the full completion of this particular track.
After all, Hellinikon will combine all the features of many GPs together: It will have a sea, marinas for yachts, greenery, it will have hotels, casinos, it will take place on roads and all of this will be combined in one of the most historic cities in the world...
Undoubtedly with the Greek, but also with the corresponding political and business will, Greece will have a unique opportunity to easily enter the Formula 1 calendar, which already has dozens of cities in the world waiting as candidates...
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