Ecclestone denies election claim

Formula One supremo Bernie Ecclestone has attempted to diffuse the political furore he has created after awarding Valencia grand prix status earlier this week.

From next season, and for seven years, the Spanish port city will stage a round of the Formula One world championship.

Ecclestone confirmed the deal on Thursday in conjunction with the Valencian government’s president Francisco Camps and mayor Rita Barbera.

However, Ecclestone caused controversy by seemingly claiming he would not sign off on the contract unless Camps - who represents the centre-right Popular Party - wins the local elections on May 27.

That prompted widespread outrage from Camps’ opponents as they claimed Ecclestone was trying to blackmail the electorate.

Spain’s deputy prime minister Maria Teresa Fernandez de la Vega blasted his comments as “lamentable, unfortunate and worrying”.

However, the 76-year-old Ecclestone insists he was misinterpreted and that Valencia will host the European Grand Prix, as it will be known, regardless of who wins in the polls.

Attempting to clarify the matter, Ecclestone stated: “I said I wouldn’t formalise a contract until after the elections because I didn’t know who I would be signing it with.”