bigbadbrother
03-09-2014, 12:21 AM
Formula 1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone has said that he is still in close contact with the organizers of the proposed Grand Prix of America in New Jersey, with plans for a race in 2015 still in place.
After being postponed in both 2013 and 2014, doubt has been raised about the likelihood of the race at Port Imperial going ahead. However, Ecclestone said that financial solutions are being found by promoter Leo Hindery Jr.’s team, and that he is happy for the race to go ahead once everything is in place.
“New Jersey have just written to me,” he explained to racer.com. “Somebody has paid some more money for outstanding bills and they are saying they have got more money coming in. If they do what they have to do, I’m happy.”
Ecclestone also revealed that the French Grand Prix could be poised to make a comeback, having last been held in 2008.
“We have got a contract on the table with France for a race at Magny-Cours,” he said. “To meet the terms of our contract, the organizers will need money and we will want some kind of guarantee that it’s not going to be a one-night stand.”
With three French drivers in Formula 1 and a large fanbase in the nation, returning to Magny-Cours would be a popular move.
As ever though, it appears that there are more races than there are places on the calendar. Currently, the figure stands at 19. Throw in New Jersey, Mexico, France, India, Korea, and (believe it or not) Azerbaijan, and it creates a struggle for a place on the calendar that could ultimately come down to whoever has the biggest wallet.
Ecclestone also approached the organizers at Long Beach about a possible return for F1 in California after the contract was opened up for bidding.
After being postponed in both 2013 and 2014, doubt has been raised about the likelihood of the race at Port Imperial going ahead. However, Ecclestone said that financial solutions are being found by promoter Leo Hindery Jr.’s team, and that he is happy for the race to go ahead once everything is in place.
“New Jersey have just written to me,” he explained to racer.com. “Somebody has paid some more money for outstanding bills and they are saying they have got more money coming in. If they do what they have to do, I’m happy.”
Ecclestone also revealed that the French Grand Prix could be poised to make a comeback, having last been held in 2008.
“We have got a contract on the table with France for a race at Magny-Cours,” he said. “To meet the terms of our contract, the organizers will need money and we will want some kind of guarantee that it’s not going to be a one-night stand.”
With three French drivers in Formula 1 and a large fanbase in the nation, returning to Magny-Cours would be a popular move.
As ever though, it appears that there are more races than there are places on the calendar. Currently, the figure stands at 19. Throw in New Jersey, Mexico, France, India, Korea, and (believe it or not) Azerbaijan, and it creates a struggle for a place on the calendar that could ultimately come down to whoever has the biggest wallet.
Ecclestone also approached the organizers at Long Beach about a possible return for F1 in California after the contract was opened up for bidding.