NJ race will be added back onto 2014 F1 calendar (6th Update)
According to Adam Cooper the race was placed in between the Monaco and Canadian Grand Prix weekends which would create an unprecedented triple-header. But transporting the teams’ equipment from Monaco to New York in such a short space of time would not be realistic.
The next free weekend for the race would be June 14th to 15th, in between the Canadian and Austrian rounds. However this would clash with the Le Mans 24 Hours, and FIA president Jean Todt is believed to have a guarantee that F1 will not race on the same weekend as the World Endurance Championship’s blue riband event.
New Jersey’s street race may therefore face another postponement until 2015. It was originally supposed to feature on the 2013 calendar.
The final 2014 schedule is expected to be ratified by the FIA’s World Motor Sports Council on Friday. Russia, Austria and Mexico are also vying to hold races next year. The latter project is backed by Tavo Hellmund who masterminded the new United States Grand Prix at the Circuit of the Americas. [Editor's Note: The NJ race does not have to run in June It can run back-to-back with Mexico City another month, such as September or October.]
09/23/13 This rumor is now upgraded to 'fact' as first reported by AR1.com. The NJ race will be on the 2014 F1 schedule.
09/17/13 As reported by AR1.com weeks ago, F1's on-again, off-again New Jersey race appears back on again.
Bernie Ecclestone said in August a 2014 street race amid the Manhattan skyline is "not on the cards", and indeed the event was not listed on the draft calendar that recently appeared in the paddock.
But a race spokesman hit back, insisting preparations are "on track", and then F1 chief executive agreed: "If they comply with the contract, the race will take place."
Race promoter Leo Hindery jr on Tuesday said the issue is the simple matter of a fee that is not payable to the US sanctioning body until this week.
It means New Jersey simply missed the cut for the draft calendar.
"We never had any expectation of being on a preliminary schedule," Hindery is quoted by sportinglife.com.
"Bernie told us if we stayed consistent with the rules and applications then he would expect there to be a New Jersey race," he added.
If so, the race would be added to the official FIA calendar, to be ratified and released by the sport's governing body at the World Council meeting in Serbia later this month.
Hindery acknowledged however that the New Jersey project has been "the toughest challenge of my career".
"Were it not for some great partners and some folks in the sport who want us to succeed then it would have been abandoned," he admitted.
09/11/13 This rumor is downgraded to speculation. The Sheraton Lincoln Harbor hotel has told wedding guests that they have been notified of the cancellation of the F1 race in NJ and can now book blocks of 10 to 20 rooms for any wedding party needing rooms at a rate of $209 per night.
09/06/13 According to AR1.com sources, "Team's 2014 F1 Calendar" circulated to them for their comments did not include a NJ race. This is the copy you see published below. However, we hear that NJ was not on it simply because the Listing Application for 2014 has not yet been submitted…it will be on September 20th by the promoter in time for the FIA formal meeting on September 27th. There is a formal FOM Contract in place with NJ so expect to see NJ added back in time for the official schedule announcement.
09/05/13 (GMM) A draft 2014 calendar circulated to team bosses at Monza on Thursday features an unprecedented 21 races.
The provisional schedule, seen by media outlets including the British broadcasters Sky and the BBC, and the news agency Reuters, includes new grands prix in Russia, Austria and Mexico.
New Jersey and India are missing, but other races that have also appeared uncertain recently – notably Korea – are listed, taking the count beyond the 20 dates that has been regarded by team bosses as the maximum.
"It remains to be seen which one is dropped," an unnamed team boss told Reuters on Thursday.
Korea, Russia and Mexico – with its race slated to be held on the ageing scene of the 1992 grand prix in Mexico City – are all listed as subject to confirmation of the venue or contract.
The World Motor Sport Council will consider the draft calendar at a meeting in Croatia later this month.
09/05/13 Autosport published this draft 21-race 2014 F1 calendar and as expected, the New Jersey race is not on it. They cannot afford F1 and the race should be an IndyCar race. It's either that or nothing because at 21 races, F1 is not expanding to make room for NJ.
DRAFT 2014 CALENDAR
March 16 – Australia (Melbourne)
March 23 – Malaysia (Sepang)
April 6 – China (Shanghai)
April 13 – Korea* (Korea International Circuit)
April 27 – Bahrain (Sakhir)
May 11 – Spain (Barcelona)
May 25 – Monaco (Monaco)
June 8 – Canada (Montreal)
June 22 – Austria (Red Bull Ring)
July 6 – Britain (Silverstone)
July 20 – Germany (Hockenheim)
July 27 – Hungary (Budapest)
August 24 – Belgium (Spa)
September 7 – Italy (Monza)
September 21 – Singapore (Marina Bay)
October 5 – Japan (Suzuka)
October 19 – Russia* (Sochi)
October 26 – Abu Dhabi (Yas Marina)
November 9 – Mexico* (Mexico City)
November 16 – USA (Circuit of the Americas)
November 30 – Brazil (Interlagos)
*Tentative