Greece wants F1 grand prix

Despite its well documented financial strife, Greece says it wants a F1 grand prix and believes a race could help turn the country's fortunes around. The project, which was first discussed back in June 2011, would see a circuit designed by an unnamed Athens-based architect built on 210,000 square meters of coastal industrial land at Drapetsona, one of the harbor areas of Piraeus. The race track would be a 3.23-mile road course that would including existing roadways and would run in a counter-clockwise direction with 25 corners and one long straight. "We have to support all projects that market Greece," AutoWeek quoted sports minister Konstantinos Cavaras as having said. "The possibility of having Drapetsona host a Formula One race would be very important for the development of Piraeus." Fellow minister Costas Tzavaras also gave his backing, saying hosting a F1 grand prix would have a long-term benefit to the country. "The main priority of this government is to create instruments of development. In this critical time for our country, every effort that promotes Greece and attracts international interest is welcome and deserves our support. "The prospect of holding Formula One races in Drapetsona raises expectations for upgrading our tourism product through the promotion of the historic port of Piraeus and the reformation of the broader region. "Such a project would create new jobs and place our country anew on the international stage."