VALENCIA, Spain (AP) -- Local government officers accused Formula One boss Bernie Ecclestone on Saturday of attempting to "blackmail" city voters over bringing F1 to Valencia.

Ecclestone on Thursday joined Valencia regional President Francisco Camps and Mayor Rita Barbera -- who are both in the opposition Popular Party -- in announcing Valencia as a host for F1 starting 2008.

But he added that the contract would only be signed after local elections on May 27, which local officials and media have interpreted to mean the contract would only be valid with Camps' victory.

"Valencians will not accept any blackmail as a platform for ... the magnate of F1," said Inmaculada Rodriguez-Pinero, secretary of the Economy and Employment Ministry.

"This offer depreciates Valencians who have been raised by conditional offers ... and whose government's intentions should be less coercive and more respectful," Rodriguez-Pinero added.

Ecclestone denies that political meddling is the reason for deferring the signing of the contract that will bring Formula One to Spain's third largest city.

"I said I wouldn't formalize a contract until after the elections because I didn't know who I would be signing it with," Ecclestone said Friday.

Maria Teresa Fernandez de la Vega, vice president of Spain's socialist government, called the situation "intolerable" Saturday, adding the ruling party wanted more information.

"Mr. Camps should explain what he has offered Bernie Ecclestone so that the F1 race is conditional on the election. Everything should be totally transparent," Rodriguez-Pinero said.

Reports said Valencia would pay euro26 million (US$35.17 million) annually to Ecclestone for the rights to stage the race following nearly two years of negotiations.

Spain already has one F1 race, the Spanish Grand Prix, held outside Barcelona. This year's race is scheduled for Sunday.