New Interlagos facilities to impress F1 teams

Although a full overhaul of the pitlane will not be complete until next year, teams will be greeted to new pit and paddock buildings at next weekend's race.

And Ecclestone, who visited the track earlier this week, has welcomed the changes after claiming he felt the circuit had come in for unfair criticism in recent years.

"The teams will be over the moon with the facilities here," said Ecclestone. "In the past I was very sad with the criticism of the teams about the structure, it was worse the other tracks. I appreciate the effort."

Sao Paulo mayor Fernando Haddad added: "I think the solution that we found is the best. I'm more than satisfied with the results that we achieved.

"Everything is on the schedule that we discussed with the technical teams. The new complex of the pit lane will be completed in 2016."

Long term future

Ecclestone has faith that the improved track facilities will be a boost to ensuring F1 remains in Brazil for the long term.

"I always felt Brazilian," he joked. "We've been here about 40 times. I think we haven't missed anything. It's going to continue. And now I think that people will be more interested. We just need to get Globo (Brazilian TV network) a bit more enthusiastic.

"It needs to be like that. Mexico is in a way what the Brazilians are. Globo need to be behind the things a little bit.

"Plus, I think we have to put a much better show. We need at least two guys racing. In McLaren in the old days we had two guys racing."