The directors of the United States Grand Prix in Austin are apparently ready to accept postponing their maiden Formula 1 race back to 2013, after conceding for the first time that next year's race is probably not going to happen.
Thursday, organizers of Circuit of The Americas responded to reported statements in the media by Bernie Ecclestone as follows:
“We have been excited for and working towards a 2012 USGP race and now understand that Mr Ecclestone is interested in moving the Austin race to 2013,” stated Steve Sexton, president of Circuit of The Americas.
“We know the U.S. market is important to the teams and their sponsors and 2013 certainly allows time for the Circuit of the Americas to be ready.”
With no contract in place, no contract with Formula One management and time running out ahead of the FIA's World Motor Sport Council meeting in early December to ratify the 2012 calendar, it now appears certain that F1 will have to wait another year to return to the United States.
A shift of date to 2013 would mean that the Austin event would take place in the same year as the inaugural New Jersey Grand Prix, which is pencilled in for June that season as part of a double-header with the Canadian GP.
"We have failed many times over to fulfill our financial obligations to Formula One," event promoter Tavo Hellmund acknowledged to the Statesman newspaper. "Right now we should be paying Mr. Ecclestone.”
Without offering details or explanation, Hellmund said the project has been under-funded and behind schedule.
Thursday, organizers of Circuit of The Americas responded to reported statements in the media by Bernie Ecclestone as follows:
“We have been excited for and working towards a 2012 USGP race and now understand that Mr Ecclestone is interested in moving the Austin race to 2013,” stated Steve Sexton, president of Circuit of The Americas.
“We know the U.S. market is important to the teams and their sponsors and 2013 certainly allows time for the Circuit of the Americas to be ready.”
With no contract in place, no contract with Formula One management and time running out ahead of the FIA's World Motor Sport Council meeting in early December to ratify the 2012 calendar, it now appears certain that F1 will have to wait another year to return to the United States.
A shift of date to 2013 would mean that the Austin event would take place in the same year as the inaugural New Jersey Grand Prix, which is pencilled in for June that season as part of a double-header with the Canadian GP.
"We have failed many times over to fulfill our financial obligations to Formula One," event promoter Tavo Hellmund acknowledged to the Statesman newspaper. "Right now we should be paying Mr. Ecclestone.”
Without offering details or explanation, Hellmund said the project has been under-funded and behind schedule.