F1 boss predicts 5 races left to Europe

MADRID (AP) - Formula One boss Bernie Ecclestone says Europe likely will be left with only five Grand Prixs in the coming years when the sport moves to other countries.

The 81-year-old Ecclestone says in an interview in Marca newspaper that "Europe is a good place for tourism and not much else. Europe is finished."

Ecclestone did not say which races would remain, only that he would like to take F1 to South Africa and Mexico, and he expects to maintain about 20 Grand Prixs per season.

F1 has recently gone to South Korea and India, while Russia has a deal to be a host in the future.

Ecclestone expects the United States GP, scheduled for November 2012 in Austin, Texas, to be abandoned when governing body FIA meets Dec. 7.