Another F1 grand prix in the US?
New plans for New York Grand Prix track in 2013
New plans for an F1 race in New York have been revealed by the Wall Street Journal.
The mayors of Weehawken and West New York, Richard Turner and Felix Roque, have backed the plan for a race on streets alongside the Hudson river which could take place in 2013.
They said: ‘In these uncertain economic times when every direct and indirect revenue source is vital, our own Formula 1 race could be a very positive boost to our citizens.
‘This said, we need to ensure that the financial benefits from the privilege of having these races in our towns are equitably shared and that no tax dollars are used. The investor group has already told us that our towns would be substantially compensated annually.’
The mayors are in discussion with businessman Leo Hindery and a group of potential investors.
Here’s a Google Earth route on the proposed circuit:
Circuit map
Now, since the Austin race will have the “United States Grand Prix” title, the race could be run under either the “New Jersey Grand Prix” title or do like what happened in the late 1970s/early 1980s and name it “United States Grand Prix East”. Of course, nothing is official yet, but there is a news conference scheduled on Tuesday that SPEED Channel will air, saying that it is regards to “the future of Formula One in America”.
The last time the US had multiple Grands Prix was 1984 when the calendar had the Detroit Grand Prix and the Dallas Grand Prix. Heck, at one time, the US had three Grands Prix (the United States Grand Prix West at Long Beach, CA; the Detroit Grand Prix at Detroit, Michigan; and the Caesars Palace Grand Prix at Las Vegas, NV). Bernie Eccelstone, the head man at Formula One Management (the commercial side of F1), has made it clear multiple times that he wants an F1 race at or near New York City.
We will know for sure if Formula One will have another race in the US by Tuesday. However, there is a question of which race a New Jersey Grand Prix will replace, as the teams have balked at a calendar of more than 20 races.