27 Sep 2012

Next year's US F1 race in doubt

7:14 am on 27 September 2012

Formula One CEO Bernie Ecclestone has raised doubts over whether the inaugural Grand Prix of America, to be held in New Jersey next year, will go ahead.

British newspaper The Guardian has quoted Ecclestone as saying that organisers "have not complied with the terms and conditions of the contract".

Work has begun on the race site and demonstration runs have been held with world champion Sebastian Vettel of Germany test driving the course in June.

The race has been given provisional status on the calendar for the 2013 season which will be discussed at the World Motor Sports Council this weekend.

A spokeswoman for the race planners, the Grand Prix of America, declined to comment.

Meanwhile, this year's race in the States, the new US Grand Prix at the 'Circuit of the Americas' track in Austin has been given the all-clear by the Formula One's governing body, ahead of November's race.

The last F1 race in the US was held at Indianapolis in 2007 and was won by British McLaren driver Lewis Hamilton.