Texas gets passing grade from F1 but Jersey is in trouble

The Circuit of the Americas outside of Austin, Texas gets the OK to host its Formula One event in November, but the outlook of the race in New Jersey for 2013 has taken a downturn.

Former-Formula One driver David Coulthard did a series of doughnuts during the filming of a promotional video in Austin, Texas. At back left is the state capitol. The track, outside of Austin, has received the green light from F1 officials to hold its race in November.
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The Circuit of the Americas (Cota) has been given the green light to stage this year's United States Grand Prix in November.

Charlie Whiting, the FIA technical delegate and race director, conducted a successful inspection of the venue that is due to host the race at Austin, Texas, from November 16 to18.

Whiting has declared the 5.5km (3.4-mile) track, along with the pit and paddock buildings, as "fantastic", and had no hesitation in awarding Cota "Grade One" status that now allows it to stage a grand prix.

"Everything I've seen so far has been absolutely first class, and the progress that's been made since the last time I was here is amazing," Whiting said. "It's built to the highest quality, exactly as we expected, and I've absolutely no complaints whatsoever."

Things are not as good for the other grand prix planned in the US as Bernie Ecclestone raised doubts over whether the inaugural Grand Prix of America, to be held in New Jersey next year will go ahead.

The F1 supremo told the Guardian newspaper that organisers "have not complied with the terms and conditions of the contract which is now gone anyway.

"They don't have a contract".

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

"We are pretty close to the final deadline," Ecclestone said. "I think if someone got behind them it could happen in 2013 because they have come a long way with the circuit."

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