MAY 9, 2013

More roadblocks for F1's 2014 New Jersey race

F1's scheduled trek to New Jersey next year is hitting more roadblocks.

F1's scheduled trek to New Jersey next year is hitting more roadblocks.

The debut race, amid New York's famed Manhattan skyline, had to be postponed last year, due to organisational and funding delays.

Now, chief marketing officer Trip Wheeler, and chief financial officer Michael Cummings, have left the project.

President Tom Cotter departed last August.

"While we have not yet named replacements, duties have been absorbed by our executive team and we look forward to announcing additional staff as we approach next year's race," a spokesman for race organiser Leo Hindery is quoted by nj.com.

"Race progress, including permitting and course construction, continues to move forward and we are on pace for a world class race in 2014," the organisation added in a statement.

But Christian Sylt, an F1 business expert and confidante of the sport's chief executive Bernie Ecclestone, is pessimistic.

"I would be absolutely astonished if this happens," he told the Star-Ledger.

"I have got no evidence that the organisers have obtained funding to host the race and, crucially, there is no evidence whatsoever that they have got a contract with (Ecclestone)."

(GMM)