Tag: GP of America

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Formula 1

Bernie says Azerbaijan in 2016, New Jersey maybe

Red Bull Racing visits New York City

Another new grand prix looks set to join the F1 calendar with Bernie Ecclestone confirming to Forbes.com he has done a deal for a race to be hosted in Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan, in 2016.

At the behest of Ferrari, McLaren and Red Bull there is a 20-race limit on the F1 season and in order to make space for Azerbaijan that limit may need to be increased or an existing grand prix will have to get scrapped.

There’s 19 races on the calendar this year and the return of the Mexico City as a grand prix host will take us back to 20 races in 2015. There was supposed to be 20 races in the current season too, but the second failure of the Grand Prix of America in New Jersey left the door open for Mexico.

And on the New Jersey race Eccelstone has had this to say: “Somebody said to me the other day that New Jersey seem to have got their act together now and that they have got the money and are all in good shape. Whether or not that is true I don’t know. The soonest it could come on the calendar is 2016.”

[Source: Forbes | Pic: Red Bull/Getty Images]

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Formula 1

GP of America plans up in smoke once again

Red Bull Racing visits New York City

We suspected this was going to happen, so it’s no surprise to read a report suggesting the Grand Prix of America, aka the New York GP, will be postponed until 2015.

In a telephone interview Bernie Eccelstone said of the race: “We are not satisfied it’s going to happen in time. What we’re aiming for is 2015.”

The future of the race has been in question right from its initial announcement back in 2o11. Everyone seems to think it’s a great idea to race on the streets of New Jersey with the Manhattan skyline forming a million dollar backdrop, but for whatever reason race promoter Leo Hindery Jr can’t get the event across the line.

One positive for the withdrawal of the GP of America, expected to be confirmed by the World Motor Sport Council later this week, is that the jam-packed 22-race 2014 F1 calendar will get some much needed relief.

[Source: WSJ | Pic: Red Bull/Getty Images]

UPDATE 5 December: An official statement from Grand Prix of America organisers has been added below.

Continue reading “GP of America plans up in smoke once again”
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Formula 1

Concrete jungle where dreams are made of

Red Bull Racing visits New York City

Grand Prix of America promoter Leo Hindery Jr, god bless him, still has dreams of New Jersey hosting a grand prix next year. The 2014 F1 calendar already has 21 races pencilled in and that’s without including the “New York” race.

Hindery Jr said: “Even if it ain’t all it seems, I got a pocket full of dreams, baby, I’m from New York!”

No hang on a minute, he just sung that to himself while he actually said out loud: “We never had any expectation of being on a preliminary schedule.

“But it took on a life of its own because so many of us are aspiring to be on the calendar that haven’t been there before—ourselves, Russia, Mexico, and with Austria also returning. In our particular case we were told not to do anything but stick to the date of the 20th [of June], which we intend to do.”

Attempting to give his comments some credibility, he added: “Bernie told us if we stayed consistent with the rules and applications then he would expect there to be a New Jersey race. Time-wise, we have done everything we have been told to do, and when to do it.

“The calendar decision will be made later this month, and although I can’t guarantee anything, we fully expect to be on it.”

Bernie is such a tease, isn’t he.

“I underestimated the challenges of doing this in the midst of a worldwide financial crisis,” Hindery Jr said, as he continued to dig a deeper hole for himself.

“Were it not for some great partners and some folks in the sport who want us to succeed then it would have been abandoned. I wouldn’t have been able to have pulled it off. But hands down this has been the toughest challenge of my career.”

Pulled it off? Well, that just might be the first thing dear Leo has got right. Because right now, there’s no race there. There, there’s no race!

[Source: Sky Sports | Pic: Red Bull/Getty Images]

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Formula 1 Red Bull Racing

Bernie wants Red Bull to save NJ GP

Red Bull Racing visits New York City

Despite confirmation that the Grand Prix of America, aka the New Jersey Grand Prix, has been postponed until 2014, a new report suggests F1 boss Bernie Ecclestone is open to the race being saved for 2013.

Indeed, Bernie himself has suggested that Charem Yoovidhya, the Thai national who owns 51% of Red Bull, could step in and pick up the hefty tab required to get the race back on track.

“I might get the Red Bull man behind the New York Race,” said Ecclestone. “It’s a good market for them.”

Hmm, we’re not sure if Bernie was taking the piss, or is deadly serious. One thing we do know is that Bernie loves the cash. So if Yoovidhya and Red Bull were keen to invest in the New Jersey race then he’d be willing to reconsider the race’s place on the 2013 F1 calendar.

[Source: Pitpass.com]

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Formula 1

New York’s Grand Prix postponed until 2014

Grand Prix of America postponed until 2014

Given the ongoing rumblings, it’s no surprise to read confirmation that the Grand Prix of America has been officially postponed until 2014. Construction delays have been blamed for the decision.

For now, at least, Leo Hindery Jr, race promoter, and Bernie Ecclestone, F1 supremo, are finally signing off the same tune.

Leo Hindery Jr: “We are going to be racing at Port Imperial, unfortunately just not as soon as we hoped and expected. We promised Governor Christie, the Towns, the sport and its international fans the best possible experience, and unfortunately we need additional time to ensure that happens.”

Bernie Ecclestone: “I remain totally committed to the Port Imperial race and its unique location and attributes, and we will continue to work closely together to realize our dream in 2014. As Leo says, we are still going to be racing at Port Imperial, now however in 2014.”

The advanced state of the 2013 F1 calendar means that a replacement race for next year may not be found. The New Jersey race was scheduled for the weekend after the Canadian GP, another factor making a replacement race unlikely.

So, expect 19 races in 2013.

Continue reading “New York’s Grand Prix postponed until 2014”
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Formula 1

“They don’t have a contract.”

Red Bull Racing visits New York City

The future of the 2013 New York Grand Prix, aka the Grand Prix of America, is again being questioned after Bernie Ecclestone revealed race organisers, “have not complied with the terms and conditions of the contract which is now gone anyway.

“They don’t have a contract.”

The 2013 F1 calendar is due to be ratified by the FIA’s World Motor Sport Council this Friday. Which doesn’t leave Leo Hindery and his Grand Prix of America chums much time to placate Bernie’s desires.

Unusually for Ecclestone, perhaps, he has left the door slightly ajar, adding: “We are pretty close to the final [2013 calendar] deadline. We have got a world council meeting coming up. I think if somebody got behind them it could happen in 2013 because they have come a long way with the circuit.”

If the New Jersey race is dropped for 2013 there is a small chance that a new grand prix could be hosted in Mexico or South Africa.

We last reported on Bernie’s concerns for the 2013 GP America back in June, but in early August a statement released by the promoters claimed, “The Formula One race will take place on the shores of the Hudson River in New Jersey in June, 2013.”

[Source: The Guardian]

 

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Formula 1 Red Bull Racing

Red Bull’s tunnel vision

David Coulthard drives RB7 through Lincoln Tunnel

Finally we can bring you the edited promo version of Red Bull Racing’s “American Vacation”. If you missed it last week David Coulthard was plonked in an RB7 and given licence to go crazy on the streets of New York and New Jersey.

It’s all in the name of promoting the Grand Prix of America, scheduled to make its F1 debut in June 2013.

If you’d like to watch a full lap of the 5.14km Port Imperial street circuit in Weehawken, NJ, you can do so HERE.

While watching this clip, cast your mind back to the nanny state promo the Victorian Government allowed for Mark Webber on the Bolte Bridge.

Victoria, you suck! New York, you rock!

[Thanks to Wes for the tip]

Continue reading “Red Bull’s tunnel vision”
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Formula 1 Red Bull Racing

David Coulthard lights up New York

Red Bull Racing visits New York City

David Coulthard and his Red Bull Racing colleagues recently stopped by New York for a little holiday. While there they managed to dust off a couple of 2011 title-winning RB7 showcars for a quick spin.

We have 11 images sourced from Red Bull along with a couple of teaser videos. A longer clip will be coming our way via the Red Bull Media House very soon.

In the meantime Leo Parente from Drive has done a fine job of giving us the skinny about Red Bull’s visit to NYC and New Jersey to promote the 2013 Grand Prix of America, or should that be 2014?

[Pics: Red Bull/Getty Images]

Continue reading “David Coulthard lights up New York”
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Formula 1

Grand Prix of America releases new logo

Grand Prix of America logo

At the end of June, when Sebastian Vettel appeared at the Grand Prix of America course in New Jersey, those paying attention may have noticed the Grand Prix of America logo. But if you missed never mind, because here it is.

In an official statement announcing the new logo organisers said: “After reviewing dozens of renderings, the Grand Prix of America group chose a blue-and-red logo that features a stylized Statue of Liberty crown over a checkered-flag helmet, anchored by a single star.”

More importantly, perhaps, the statement confidently declared: “The Formula One race will take place on the shores of the Hudson River in New Jersey in June, 2013.”

This follows earlier suggestions the race could be delayed until 2014.

[Source: Facebook]

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Formula 1

Grand Prix of America on hold until 2014?

Grand Prix of America, New Jersey

The inaugural Grand Prix of America is due to be held in June 2013. However, Bernie Ecclestone has, again, suggested next year may be one year too soon and that a 2014 debut could be on the cards.

Giving mixed messages Ecclestone told the BBC that the race would “definitely” not go ahead in 2013, amid concerns the track would not be ready in time. Contradicting himself slightly he followed by saying the race would be on next year if organisers are ready.

“We’ll have to see, I need to go and have another look,” Ecclestone said. “What I’ve seen up to now, and what’s been going on, I’m not quite as sure as they are.

“If they can get it completed and confirm to us it will be done, for sure, they’ll be on the calendar.”

Of course, this could just be a typically Bernie tactic of making sure the organisers get a wriggle on and meet their deadlines.

After visiting the New Jersey site as part of a recent promotion, Sebastian Vettel agreed there’s a lot of work to be done, but thinks there should be enough time to finalise preparations for 2013.

“The circuit is not anywhere near close to being ready,” declared Vettel. “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.”

[Source: BBC]

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Formula 1 Infiniti Red Bull Racing

Vettel: New Jersey track compares to Spa

Red Bull and Infiniti preview Grand Prix of America, NYC

Sebastian Vettel and David Coulthard were on hand in Weehawken, New Jersey yesterday to preview the 5.14km street circuit which will be home to the 2013 Grand Prix of America.

So what’s this new track like then? After driving the course Sebastian Vettel gave it the thumbs up, saying: “The circuit is great. One section is a bit like Montreal with a long fast straight but it’s also quite up and down, which is a bit like Spa.

“New York is such a great city with a great energy. It will be great to have a Formula One race here—I think there will be some good bars to go to after the race!”

In an official statement Leo Hindery, GP of America promoter, said: “Sebastian got a very small taste of what racing around the Port Imperial course will be like but there’s no substitute for when he’ll be driving at just over 200 miles an hour.”

For now we only have a few still pictures and words, but hopefully a video of the course will be available soon.

Continue reading “Vettel: New Jersey track compares to Spa”
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Formula 1 Infiniti

Vettel first to drive New Jersey F1 circuit

Sebastian Vettel

Next Monday Sebastian Vettel will be the first of the current F1 drivers to get a taste for the new Grand Prix of America street circuit. The dual world champ will be dropping by the New Jersey site on his way to home from the Canadian Grand Prix.

In the presence of race promoter Leo Hindery, Vettel will drive a lap of the 5.14km layout before holding a press conference with Infiniti representatives, as well as Weehawken Mayor Richard Turner and West New York Mayor Felix Roque.

The race is due to debut in June next year and construction plans are right on schedule. However, F1 supremo Bernie Eccelstone has raised concerns over late payments from race organisers.

“I don’t know if it is going to happen,” Eccelstone said. “I hope everything will be okay. They are sorting things out internally with some of their funds. If they are ready for 2013 we will have them.”

[Source: Planet F1 & The Telegraph]