Ecclestone Targets Manhattan Race in F1, in 2012

US F1 or no US F1, the North American continent should still be looked upon as a great market for Formula One racing, and the series' CEO Bernie Ecclestone knows that all too well. However, the 79-year old Brit doesn't just want a regular return into the USA – as a Canadian race has already been established, at Montreal – but desires a comeback in style.

And for that to happen, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway must not become the site where F1 will make its US return, but New York City. Yes, you've read it right, a race on the streets of New York is exactly what Ecclestone is targeting in the near future, no matter the costs involved in setting up such an event.

“I'm trying for 2012, opposite Manhattan in New Jersey with skyscrapers in the background. Fifteen minutes from the centre of New York to the circuit. (It would be) a wonder,” said Ecclestone in an interview with Italy's La Gazzetta dello Sport.

The idea is not new, as Ecclestone has issued it about a year ago, when all the major manufacturers present in the series – back then, Toyota and BMW were still part of F1 – were asking Ecclestone to bring the US back on the map of Formula One, rather than focus on extending the championship into the Middle East.

The last Formula One race that happened in the US took place in 2007, at the IMS, after which Ecclestone refused to extend the track's deal with the FOM (Formula One Management).

In recent years, Ecclestone's tendency to secure street-race deals for F1 has been more than obvious, with tracks like Singapore and Valencia becoming regular rounds in the championship. Also, the F1 supremo has just worked on securing a Rome GP from 2012/13 onwards. Under the circumstances, we're waiting forward to hearing some more about his plans to bringing F1 to the city that never sleeps in the upcoming years...