New Jersey Grand Prix Postponed Until 2014

The proposed New Jersey Grand Prix, which was initially scheduled to hold its inaugural race next season, has been postposed until at least 2014 following doubts surrounding the progress of what will become a street race incorporating the Manhattan skyline. The inaugural race was scheduled for June 2013.

However, after ongoing speculation with regards to the progress made on the construction and planning of the new venue by race organizers, F1 Supremo Bernie Ecclestone has officially confirmed that the race will be postponed for one year. The race was initially planned to take place one week after the Canadian Grand Prix, and would finally see the United States host two races in a season once again for the first time since 1984.

“It is not going to happen next year,” confirmed Bernie Ecclestone to Eurosport. “If they came up with the contract with us and we were satisfied the question is could they carry out the work in six months? Winter in New York is not good.”

This sudden change of events leaves a gap in the 2013 Formula 1 calendar between the Canadian and British Grands Prix, which looks unlikely to be filled. However, with Bernie Ecclestone rumored to be striving to return the Turkish Grand Prix to the calendar, next season could still remain at 20 races.

However, due to the fact that the Canadian Grand Prix is considered a flyaway race, it is highly unlikely that any race would be able to tie-in with the gap now present due to the postponement of the New Jersey Grand Prix.

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Ben Edwards Becomes BBC F1 Lead Commentator

Ben Edwards today announced on the social networking site Twitter that he will become the new BBC F1 Commentator, replacing Martin Brundle to commentate alongside David Coulthard in 2012. This comes after Martin Brundle switched to Sky for next season to front their commentary team alongside fellow ex-BBC commentators Anthony Davidson and David Croft.

Ben Edwards has recently been the British Touring Car Championship commentator for ITV and has also previously fronted EuroSport’s Formula 1 coverage alongside former F1 driver John Watson throughout the 1990s. Once EuroSport lost the rights to broadcast F1 at the end of 1996 he began commentating on ChampCar (CART) for EuroSport and ESPN International and had undeniably his finest moment during the final laps for the 2000 Michigan 500 where Juan Pablo Montoya and Michael Andretti crossed the line side-by-side with Ben Edwards literally screaming in both delight and shock at such an exciting and close finish.

In 2002 Ben became the Lead Commentator for Bernie Ecclestone’s F1 Digital+ channel which was pay-per-view through Sky TV and was partnered by former colleague from EuroSport John Watson. However due to an unsuccessful 2002 season, F1 Digital+ ceased to exist and three years later Ben Edwards became the Lead Commentator for the new A1 Grand Prix Series launched in 2005. 

Although there has been no official statement from the BBC pertaining to Ben Edwards joining the team, he did say this on Twitter: “So, it looks as though it’s really happening. I will be the BBC F1 commentator in 2012 and I can’t wait! It took a while for things to be sorted, and thanks to ITV for being so understanding. Really looking forward to working with the crew.”

With both Sky and the BBC signing two superb commentators it’s going to be difficult to decide which channel to watch next seasons races on.