There's no question that Formula 1 Management president and CEO Bernie Ecclestone has been looking forward to a Formula 1 Grand Prix featuring the grand New York City skyline backdrop for years. Having finally scheduled the all-new Grand Prix of America in New Jersey for 2013, it seems that the venue's plans have been snagged by financial obstacles.
Slated for a 3.2 mile street circuit race held in the New Jersey township of Weehawken, the New Jersey Formula 1 organizers have fallen behind on their contractual agreements.
According to motorsport news site Crash.net, Ecclestone commented, "We are waiting for different parts of the contract to be agreed - they are late. I hope everything will be okay. They are sorting things out internally with some of their funds. I don't know if it is going to happen [but], if they are ready for 2013, we will have them."
Less keen to answer contract concerns, a New Jersey project spokesman says, "We don't comment on our contractual relationship with F1 or its details, [but] we are on track for a June 2013 race, with all course engineering and construction progressing precisely on schedule, a strong management team in place, and strong ongoing support from New Jersey, New York City and the local communities involved." The spokesman also adds, "We are very confident that the 2013 F1 Grand Prix of America will be a great event."
Only last year, the US Grand Prix in Austin faced similar challenges in its early stages of development. Now Formula 1 oufits seemed please with the progress of the Texas event. If all goes well, the New Jersey and Austin Grands Prix will join the Canadian Grand Prix in Montreal for a total of three races in North America.
