Ecclestone Indicates New Jersey F1 Race In Doubt After Contract Is Torn Up

The contract for the F1 Grand Prix of America in New Jersey, which was scheduled to be run for the first time next year, has been "torn up after the race organisers missed deadlines in their agreement," according to Christian Sylt of the GUARDIAN. The race was set for June "on a 3.2-mile street circuit which snakes alongside the Hudson river opposite Manhattan's historic skyline." However, F1 Management Chair Bernie Ecclestone said race organizers "have not complied with the terms and conditions of the contract which is now gone anyway." Sylt notes the slot on the '13 race calendar "could be filled with another new race and Ecclestone is known to be in discussion about a Mexican Grand Prix." The New Jersey race has been "beset with problems since it was announced" last October, and Ecclestone "expressed doubts as recently as May that the organisers would be ready." Next year's calendar was released last week and included the New Jersey race, though it "was marked as subject to confirmation" (GUARDIAN.co.uk, 9/25).