Going to New Jersey?

[markfarrell9572]

Formula 1 is set to have two grands prix in the United States from 2013, with plans for a race around the streets of New Jersey expected to be confirmed as early as next week.

Although F1 is returning to the US for the first time next year with an event in Austin, Texas, Bernie Ecclestone has made no secret of the fact that he would like another event in the country - with his preferred location being New York.

Ecclestone told AUTOSPORT last year: "It's happening. We are talking to them and trying to do our best. Let's see what happens."

High level sources have revealed that the plans have now reached fruition, and an announcement is expected to be made by New Jersey governor Chris Christie and other local politicians next week.

It is understood that the New Jersey GP will take place in June 2013, so it can be a back-to-back race with Canada, which will then leave the Austin event to keep its place at the tail end of the schedule to tie up with the Brazilian Grand Prix.

Last year, the Mayors of Weehawken and West New York revealed that they were in the preliminary stages of talks with a group of investors, led by former YES TV Network executive Leo Hindery Jr, to hold a grand prix in the area from as early as 2013.

It is not confirmed where the track will be, but it is likely to run along the banks of the Hudson River - using the waterfront and the iconic Manhattan skyline as a backdrop.

The Wall Street Journal reported on Saturday that a press conference has been scheduled at Port Imperial in Weehawken for next Tuesday, where an announcement could be made.

[Ian]

OMG, not ANOTHER street circuit. 

[cosworth151]

Plan B for when Austin falls through?

[Jericoke]

I assume the 'Occupy Wall Street' will have been cleared up by then.

Otherwise there might be a problem with Formula One's corporate excess a ferry ride away

[lkjohnson1950]

Bernie is fixated on the earth's major cities. He wanted the French GP to be in Paris, the Italian GP to be in Rome, and the US GP to be in New York. It will be a boring race on a track where it's impossible to pass and American fans used to 4 or 5 lead changes a lap will stay away by the millions. Then when it fails, everyone will say Americans are just too crude to appreciate F1.

[cosworth151]

Another example of place over race. Not the nicest place, either. Maybe the Grand Marshal could be Tony Soprano.

[Canada Darrell™]

Another example of place over race. Not the nicest place, either. Maybe the Grand Marshal could be Tony Soprano.

Maybe Bernie should take this Tony Soprano quote to heart:

"There's an old Italian saying: you f*ck up once, you lose two teeth."