Ecclestone denies reports about New York Grand Prix

Formula One commercial supremo Bernie Ecclestone has dismissed reports from Australia he was visiting New York this week to discuss the possibility of staging a Grand Prix on Staten Island.

Organisers of this weekend's Australian Grand Prix had told reporters that Ecclestone was skipping the season-opening race in Melbourne because he was meeting with New York mayor Michael Bloomberg.

But Ecclestone told Reuters on Wednesday that he was in London and the reports from Australia were incorrect.

"I'm in the office and I'm not coming New York," he said.

Asked whether he was considering a race in Staten Island, Ecclestone replied: "No, absolutely 100 per cent."

Ecclestone's absence from the Australian Grand Prix has renewed speculation about the future of the race at Albert Park when the current contract expires in 2015.

The race has been running at a financial loss for years, prompting complaints from taxpapers and putting pressure on local politicians not to renew the deal.