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Originally Posted by Chiana
The previous time this event was axed from WEC was caused by organisational disputes and money, was it not?
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Pretty much — the underlying problem really was that the Brazilian economy was in a deep recession. Things have somewhat stabilized since then, but the country's economy still isn't firing on all cylinders. Judging by airline service patterns, Rio de Janerio has been particularly hard hit (down to only three daily flights to the U.S.).
The Brazilian government likes to use sports investment as an economic development strategy — they spent a ton of money building facilities for the World Cup and the Olympics. Building a new F1 track in general and in Rio in particular follows the pattern. And let's not forget that Interlagos isn't in the best of shape.
The real issue surrounding potential Brazilian WEC rounds after 2019/2020 might not be so much where it wound be held but rather the current rules uncertainty. Less manufacturer involvement in LMP1 and/or GTE means less money for the WEC while leaving the series less marketable. Brazil is an expensive trip. If the WEC is forced to shrink, Brazil might well be the first thing to be cut.