The GP of America postponed and the GP of France confirmed?
For the first time since announcing the organization of a Grand Prix near New York, Bernie Ecclestone has expressed doubts about the event taking place as early as 2013. However, according to the F1's chief financial officer's statements on BBC, France is closer than ever to making its return to the calendar next season, alternating with Belgium.
As the Grand Prix of America, announced last fall, is scheduled to make its first appearance on the F1 calendar in June 2013, alongside the Canadian Grand Prix, Bernie Ecclestone mentioned for the first time on the BBC airwaves a possible postponement. “Maybe the New York race will take place in 2013,” the Briton assures before adding: “2013 or 2014.”
If the Austin circuit, host of the United States Grand Prix starting next November, has been the subject of chronic doubts since the officialization of its project, it is the first time since October that doubts have arisen regarding the preparation of the American Grand Prix. Entirely funded by private investments, supported by local authorities and the governor of the state of New Jersey, the project plans to organize a Grand Prix, starting in 2013, on the shores of the Hudson River with a view of downtown Manhattan. Mario Andretti stated just two months ago: Frankly, I don’t doubt for a second that they’ll be ready: knowing the people involved in the project, I am very, very confident, truly.
But while the F1’s Chief Financial Officer expresses some doubt about the chances of seeing a Grand Prix near New York as early as 2013, he is, however, more affirmative about the return of the French Grand Prix. Recently, François Fillon had confirmed the project of organizing an event at the Circuit Paul Ricard, alternating with another country. Bernie Ecclestone indicated on the BBC that it will alternate with the Belgian Grand Prix: “We do not want more races. It’s quite tight, and there are discussions with the French. Spa has agreed; apparently, they are going to do it at Paul Ricard,” the Briton shared.
While the Prime Minister assured that the State would support the Grand Prix but would not pay for its organization, it seems that the alternation is more or less assured, only awaiting an official announcement that could take place once the results of the upcoming electoral deadlines are known, especially in the event of the current president and his majority being re-elected.
