Mayor of Barranquilla insists that formula one will arrive in Colombia

“They consider us, we are working with them, now that it happens... when is it going to happen? I cannot answer that today (...), we Colombians have to believe it more, because when we knock on doors, when we do things conscientiously, things can happen and today it is a real possibility and much faster than we think”, assured the mayor of Barranquilla, about the possibility to be announced to the country and promptly to the capital of the Atlantic, as the venue for a Formula 1 Grand Prix.

The official assured Caracol Radio that the city has the capacity to host the event, and that the measures are already approved to make the announcement official. “The site loves it, the people and the management capacity for these races are approved”, in fact, he assured that a financial model is ready to make the event self-sustainable.

Pumarejo explained that the State will not have to “perpetually subsidize the process”, which he emphasizes, looks promising. “The conditions are there, now we have to wait for the processes to be completed,” he also emphasizes that Barranquilla looks very good and promises for this option.

During the interview he emphasized that if the completion of the Formula 1 race in Barranquilla is a fact, to which he replied: “if there is” in fact, the city is a serious contender for this, but still, there is a possibility that it will not happen.

It was also revealed that the dispute over who will be the city to host the Grand Prix are two other Latin Americans in Central America, mainly in Mexico.

In economic matters, the mayor assured that in addition to the economic income that can be left by holding an event of such magnitude, it is the worldwide recognition that it grants. “More than a hundred and a half millions of people connect simultaneously and are going to have to search Google, where is Barranquilla? , are going to learn from our city and our country,” he also emphasized the fact that Colombia is a safe country to travel.

He also pointed out that the revenue from the ticket office and the profits obtained from the completion of the Grand Prix must come out of the operating costs and the fees that must be paid to Formula 1 or the International Automobile Federation.

The infrastructure adjustments required by the city would be: an adaptation of its roads to make the urban circuit, and small multipurpose buildings that will serve permanently, so that after the races they become cultural or tourist centers. “The cost is not exorbitant, as has been thought. Formula 1 is a sustainable business but the most important thing for me is that Colombia knocked on the door, Barranquilla knocked on the door and they opened it to us. For me it's a great achievement.”

These statements would clear up doubts as to whether there is a possibility that the prestigious sports competition will arrive in the country, coincidentally, a couple of days ago Stefano Domenicali, president and CEO of Formula 1, assured that the organization has a serious intention of expanding into new markets.” We need to be balanced and see what the opportunities are, there are other cities that are interested in Formula 1″.

Despite the official announcement being made, Colombia will not be able to host a race until after 2025 because of the so-called “Pact of Concord”, which is a regulation that commits all teams and sectors participating in the competition, to the distribution of income.

In fact, there is already a firm proposal that of the 23 current races that are run in the year, they should be increased to 30. Even in the coming days, the Las Vegas Grand Prix will be officially announced. However, the venues have suffered cancellations and postponements, as Russia will have no more races due to military intervention in Ukraine, so the organization would be looking for circuits quickly to complete the schedule.

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