Formula 1 to Host Race in Croatia?

Formula 1 might be heading to Croatia in the near future. As is the case with several other locations in Europe and worldwide, the Central European country has thrown itself into contention for a place in the F1 calendar a few years from now, courtesy of Bernie Ecclestone expansion plans in the series.

Given that the F1 supremo is apparently marching through the idea of turning the Great Circus into a 25-race series in the future, plenty of countries have admitted willingness to support F1 projects of their own. And Croatia makes no exception from it, at least if we are to trust a recent report coming from daily Vecernji List.

According to the local sources, it seems that both Ecclestone and his preferred track designer Hermann Tilke would fancy an F1 project just outside of Zagreb.

One reason for this support would be that the Croatian government would be involved in the project, something that actually characterizes Ecclestone's policy when it comes to adding new circuits to the Great Circus – we're talking about state-backed events.

The aforementioned report states that the entire project would cost around EUR250 million and would be finalized in 18 months, with funding coming entirely from the private sector. However, the Croatian government would supervise the whole thing and ensure that all potential bureaucratic obstacles would be taken care of.

However, recent news from the country – which is yet to be member of the European Union – aren't that encouraging when it comes to the government, as no sooner than this weekend protesters in Zagreb have marched in the city “demanding the fall of the government amid a financial crisis and allegations of corruption,” as noted by the GMM news agency.