Brazil promoter slams Massa over GP comments

Jun.23 (GMM) The promoter of Brazil's F1 race has slammed Felipe Massa for saying it is "possible" Interlagos will be axed from the calendar.

Following comments made by Bernie Ecclestone, Sao Paulista Massa admitted in Baku last weekend: "What is happening in Brazil at the moment is very difficult.

"So it's not impossible that F1 in Brazil will be over."

But as local Brazilian media were this week given a tour of the latest stage of renovations at the Interlagos track, promoter Tamas Rohonyi hit back hard at the Williams driver.

"I will call him and say that just as I don't tell you how to drive, he does not understand how to organise a race," Rohonyi told UOL Esporte.

"I do not comment on what I don't understand. Massa just heard something and repeated it, but when I was hearing a lot about his driving, I did not comment," he added.

However, F1 supremo Ecclestone said his race axe threats are serious, having warned in recent days that Canada, Italy and Germany are all also endangered.

The 2016 race calendar stands at an unprecedented 21 races, but the 85-year-old told The Times this week: "It is more likely to be 18 races next year."