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Mayor of New York wants F1 race, but Liberty Media shoots down plans

20 May 2022 at 11:24
Last update 20 May 2022 at 14:03
  • GPblog.com

Liberty Media is expanding Formula 1 in the United States. After the addition of the Miami GP and the Las Vegas GP, New York is hoping to get a spot on the calendar as well. Liberty Media just doesn't see it happening in 'The Big Apple' yet.

Back in 2011, the then owner of F1 Bernie Ecclestone already expressed his desire to see an F1 race in New York. The plans were made and the organisation had already started to set up the event for 2013, but the race eventually did not take place due to a lack of money. The current mayor of New York Eric Adams wants to make another attempt to bring the fourth Grand Prix of the United States to his city. Liberty Media is not taking the bait yet.

Maffei sees no benefit in New York GP

Liberty Media CEO Greg Maffei said at an event in New York to among others Autosport.com that the chances of there being a New York GP are very slim. The site Adams has identified for the possible F1 race, on Randalls Island, is not a perfect venue for the current F1 owner. It seems that Liberty Media would only agree to a street race through Manhattan past the city's iconic sites.

Maffei says he cannot imagine Central Park being closed for the race and that therefore in all likelihood there will be no New York GP. Liberty Media does not exclude a fourth race in America and is therefore also positive towards the idea of a New York GP. Maffei calls it a discussion that does not need to be had because there are few who would not want it. Liberty Media's conditions do seem initially too much to ask for an actual realization of the plans.