US Grand Prix organisers miss out on 'wake-up call' for 2013

The inaugural Grand Prix of America scheduled to take place next June has been postponed until 2014.

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The inaugural Grand Prix of America scheduled to take place next June has been postponed until 2014 after circuit officials confirmed construction work has rendered it impossible to host the race next season.

The race in New Jersey was set to join the Formula One calendar next year and become the United States' second annual event complementing next month's race in Texas. However, Bernie Ecclestone, F1's commercial rights owner, suggested organisers had proved too slow to respond to his requests, saying "they've run out of time".

"There's all sorts of things ... and they didn't quite think it all through," he told reporters in England. "They've had a wake-up call, but the wake-up call came too late. They couldn't get everything ready in time - that's the bottom line."

Circuit officials confirmed in a written statement that the race was off, but remained confident it will take place in 2014.

"We are going to be racing at Port Imperial, unfortunately just not as soon as we hoped and expected," said Leo Hindery Jr, the promoter of the event.

There will be no replacement for the postponed event with the 2013 calendar now consisting of 19 races.

gmeenaghan@thenational.ae

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