01/11/2011
NEWS STORY
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Days after it is confirmed that New Jersey will host a Grand Prix in 2013, Bernie Ecclestone casts doubt on Austin's 2012 event.
The Austin event has not been without its problems what with construction grinding to a temporary halt during the summer and continued wrangling over the funding of the event, particularly the decision to use taxpayers money to pay the $25m annual race hosting fee to the F1 Group. Then there's the news that officials in New Jersey have agreed a ten-year deal to host the Grand Prix of America.
Enthusing about the New Jersey event at the weekend, Jackie Stewart admitted to concern at the lack of news coming out of Austin, expressing confusion at the ongoing silence.
Then came the ever worrying denial, Brooke Botello, a spokesperson for Texas Comptroller Susan Combs insisting that the New Jersey event will have no bearing on the Austin race.
Now, Bernie Ecclestone has added to the mystery, claiming that while he doesn't believe there are any problems with the track, his cause for concern lies with the company behind the event, hinting that there is internal wrangling.
Interestingly, among the first to offer their congratulations to the New Jersey officials was Tavo Hellmund, the driving force behind the Austin event, however, what was he doing in London at the time of the announcement?
From no Grands Prix in America to two and now, possibly back to one. Then again, there are many who remain sceptical about the New Jersey event.