Is This the Future of Formula 1? - Page 2
Speculation about a London Grand Prix is nothing new, as the idea was first raised in the early 2000’s and so far nothing has come of such talk. Also on the agenda for some time has been possibility of Formula 1 breaking into the U.S., and what better way than a grand prix in the Big Apple.
New York’s streets don’t seem to lend themselves very well to racing, and as one American commentator told me recently, ‘You can’t see the beauty of New York when you’re in New York’. So the idea and plans have moved just a little way over to New Jersey with a backdrop of Manhattan. The New Jersey event will run along a street race course overlooking the Hudson River and Manhattan skyline and is planned to be twinned with the Canadian Grand Prix next June.
Speculation is rife over whether the appearance of New Jersey will actually make it to next season's race calendar, and the Formula 1 boss Bernie Ecclestone told BBC Sport the race would "definitely" not happen, just before saying that it would if the track were ready in time. Race President Tom Cotter insisted the track was ahead of schedule. A week ago, Sebastian Vettel was on the New Jersey track during a promotional event and believes it will be ready in time "The circuit is not anywhere near close to being ready, but as I said, it would be great.” Adding "I think you can do a lot in one year. It was exactly one year since I last went to New York. They are building the Freedom Tower in Manhattan, and it's nearly done. If they can do that in one year, it shouldn't be a big problem to lay some Tarmac and put some fences up."
Former facing driver David Coulthard was also at the New Jersey promotional event and took a spin along the road track, "They think they're ahead of schedule. They're talking about 12 months from now, but it's a lot of work - the road is so bowed in the middle. That's the main thing they have to do to have a proper street track." He said.
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