ANTALYA - Formula One Chief Executive Bernie Ecclestone said that the adequacy of hotels was the main standard required from candidate cities to hold Formula One car race and that he believed Antalya could host the race since it meets this requirement.
Ecclestone came to Antalya from Izmir by his private plane 3.30 p.m. on Thursday. After visiting Antalya Airport International Lines terminal, Ecclestone went to Dosemealti area which is proposed to hold the race. Antalya Governor Ertugrul Dokuzoglu, Antalya Mayor Bekir Kumbul, Antalya Trade and Industry Chamber Chairman Menderes Turel and Automobile and Motor Sports Federation Chairman Mumtaz Tahincioglu accompanied him.
Later he flew over Belek where he examined the holiday villages and five star hotels. Later he attended a cocktail party at Falez Hotel and held a press conference.
''We saw that Antalya has the hotel capacity to host such an organization. We'll asssess other criteria later. But at the moment Antalya is leaving behind other cities in terms of its hotels,'' he commented.
Die Nueu Turkei Magazine Editor in Chief Christopher Kubaseck said Antalya was a holiday city and people who come to watch Formula 1 could have a great vacation at the same time. Ecclestone said this was a big advantage for Antalya.
Eccelestone also remarked that the availability of fully equipped hospitals was another criteria and they would examine Antalya's hospitals later.
Answering a question of a German reporter who pointed out that over two million German tourists are visiting this city, Ecclestone said that this was also an important reason to hold the race in Antalya.
Ecclestone said that they would announce their decision in September and added that he would come back to Antalya for holiday in October.