New Jersey expect to be on 2014 calendar

New Jersey race promoter unphased by F1 2014 draft calendar omission.

During the weekend of the Italian Grand Prix a draft calendar for the 2014 Formula One World Championship was released/leaked to the media.

It included 21 races following the expected news that India had been dropped from 2014 [scheduled to return in 2015], whilst Austria, Russia and Mexico had all been added.

But with the New Jersey race also holding a contract for 2014 the championship could grow to 22 races next year and the American’s remain confident that they will eventually be included.

Grand Prix of America race promoter Leo Hindery Jr is the man behind the new street circuit which, if made a reality, will run with the Manhattan skyline as a spectacular backdrop.

He fully believes that they have so far stuck to schedule and anticipate their inclusion at the FIA’s World Motor Sport Council meeting which will decide on the draft calendar in Croatia at the end of this month.

‘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, which we intend to do. Hindery Jr told Sky Sports.

‘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.’

One of the problems behind the Grand Prix of America getting off the ground has been finances.

The New Jersey race is not receiving any state or government funding, with all the finances coming from private companies.

‘I underestimated the challenges of doing this in the midst of a worldwide financial crisis, I committed us early on to no state, municipal or public financing whatsoever, which is something we believe in and are committed to. Others haven’t had that conviction, which has made it tougher.‘ added the 65-year-old.