Manhattan Skyline unites all in favor of New Jersey “Grand Prix of America” Formula 1 Race in 2013

we were welcomed by Red Bull and Infiniti staff before a reception area set by the riverbank. Most visible two hundred feet ahead was a 2011 Red Bull F1 bolide, strategically set on a podium and centered under a wide rectangular arch cleanly framing the Manhattan skyline at its West Side best. That iconic theme would recur often during the well-run proceedings.

Once duly credentialed, you had to swivel 180 degrees to catch a view of the paddock and garage facilities well under construction. Above those, rose a tall curtain of trees hiding the natural palisades supporting the upper half of the future circuit. “Elevation change” would prove a second recurring theme of the day and, of course, there is nothing but good in uniquely conjoining those two themes with Formula 1.

Back at river level, white tents with appealing lunch food and plenty of iced Red Bull cans or spring water made it easy to mingle with officials, including Race Promoter Leo Hindery, President Tom Cotter, the mayors of the two townships involved (Weehawken and West New York), as well as Keith St. Clair, Director of Global Marketing for the Infiniti brand, co-sponsor of the event. By 1:30 pm, everybody was anticipating the arrival of Sebastian Vettel, who the day before had finished 4th in an exciting Canadian Grand Prix.

Soon, there appeared a Weehawken police cruiser, lights aflashing, followed by three black Infiniti G37 IPL Coupes, then a West New York police cruiser. From the first G37 emerged the young double World Champion, and from the second, a tanned and ever elegant David Coulthard. Vettel, looking like the kid next door – except for his Red Bull suit – seemed perfectly relaxed, though eager to make sure his powerful car (348 hp) was properly set-up for the rides to come with two or three reporters as passengers – Coulthard would drive the second Infiniti and those in the third would videotape the whole operation.

After the obligatory posing for photos, off went the five-car caravan for a first lap, led by the first police cruiser. Other cruisers would block the intersections of the still live streets at the appropriate time, thus giving Vettel a reasonably realistic feel for the future circuit. The five cars quickly zoomed up northward from 8 ft above sea level all the way to 157 ft above; then swooped back down, with Vettel marking his return to the start/finish line by stirring up white whirls of burned rubber with snappy doughnuts such as most New Yorkers have never savored.

Several more preview laps were then performed, each with the same smoky exclamation point, then a restart with a fresh load of grinning reporters. By 2:15 pm, time was nearing for the master’s verdict.

Soon, the neatly arranged rows of white chairs, all facing Manhattan in front of the arched podium, were filled. On that podium first, Leo Hindery, our senior host, again welcomed everyone, then confirmed that all was proceeding on schedule for the planned June 2013 inaugural Grand Prix of America. David Coulthard followed with a few words, before officially introducing a smiling Vettel, with Infiniti’s Keith St. Clair beaming not far from him.

The German champion quickly pronounced the new course to be “fantastic, very fast” and expressed happy surprise at the significant elevation change (cue), which he said reminded him of Spa (cue). He then added that the curvy downhill left-hander descending from the highest corner would require “strong manhood” (our euphemism here) to negotiate at maximum speed; before predicting that the F1 cars would reach over 200 mph down the long section returning to the finish line. Finally, before taking questions, he pointed to the Manhattan skyline and concluded: “And with such incredible setting, this race is very quickly going to become one that all drivers will want to win, like Monaco (cue) or Singapore. I cannot wait to get back here and race in 2013.”

The last question allowed was addressed to Leo Hindery, asking how sure he was the first Grand Prix of America would indeed take place one year hence. “As you can see here from what has already been done,” he answered, “and with the team we have in place to finish the job, there is no doubt in my mind that we will be more than ready. Now it is Bernie Ecclestone who sets each year’s F1 calendar, and we expect to hear about his final decision in the next few weeks. We are optimistic.”

Leo Hindery’s voice was firm and confident. And, as Frank Sinatra famously sang: “Once you’ve made it in New York, you can make it anywhere.” Conversely, Ecclestone has by now made it just about everywhere in the world except… New York – as every informed Formula 1 fan well knows.

All right then, the circuit may technically be in New Jersey, but as the press release we were handed at the end emphasized one last time: “…against the iconic Manhattan skyline, set to be a major feature of the race next year.”

Bet on Bernie giving Leo his blessing.