Fresh doubt has been cast on the proposed Grand Prix of America after Bernie Ecclestone stated last night that the race may not go ahead next season due to financial problems.
The grand prix is planned to take place in New Jersey, becoming the second American race on the calendar after the United States Grand Prix returned at the newly-built Circuit of the Americas last season. However, Ecclestone doubts that the event will go ahead.
“It’s not on the cards for next year,” Ecclestone is quoted as stating by CNN. “They haven’t got any money.”
Speculation about the race has been rife for the past few months. New Jersey was initially set to join the calendar in 2013, but it was postponed to give the promoters sufficient time to prepare. However, without sufficient funding, it is likely that the event would be postponed once again until 2015. The congested calendar for next season has not aided matters as Austria returns for the first time since 2003 and Russia prepares for its inaugural grand prix.
Taking Formula One to the New York/New Jersey area has been a long-standing desire for Bernie Ecclestone, suggesting that even if the race does not go ahead as planned in 2014, efforts will still be made in the future to hold a second race in the U.S.
Race promoter Leo Hindery Jr has been adamant that the race will go ahead, stating earlier this year that he had a fifteen-year deal signed with the sport. However, without sufficient backing, races are always at risk of falling off the calendar.
Caterham reserve driver Alexander Rossi spoke exclusively to MotorSportsTalk last month about the prospect of a second home race, expressing his excitement over the race and calling the proposed circuit “Monza on the city streets.” However, it appears that the drivers will have to wait a bit longer to tackle the Port Imperial circuit.
