When the inaugural 2013 race was dropped from the calendar, Formula One President and CEOBernie Ecclestone stated that the promoters were in breach of contract and that new proposals from other parties would be welcome.[9] The race was repeatedly added then removed from future Formula One provisional calendars, and dropped completely from even the provisional calendar by2016.[11]
The junction of Boulevard East and 60th Street, at the circuit's highest point
The site of the circuit was made after several years of searching for an appropriate venue in theNew York Metropolitan Area and was chosen for its location near theHudson River andHudson Palisades, offering sweeping skyline views, elevation changes and access to public transportation.[1]
The circuit, designed by German track designerHermann Tilke, was to have run clockwise. The start line was to be located next to theNY Waterway ferry terminal, with the pits and paddock located between the ferry terminal and Port Imperial Boulevard. The first sector of the circuit would have run along theHudson River Waterfront Walkway, designed to allow the cars to race through Port Imperial before climbing the Hudson Palisades alongPershing Road. The circuit was then to followBoulevard East north to Donnelly Memorial Park, where it would have turned right and descended Anthony M. DeFino Way to ahairpin turn adjacent to the West New York sewage treatment plant. The circuit would then have returned south to the ferry terminal via Port Imperial Boulevard.[1][12] The elevation change from Port Imperial to the Palisades, some 150 feet (46 meters),[13] would have given the circuit one of the greatest elevation changes on the calendar.[14]
Although the circuit would have passed residential areas, residents would not have been cut off from their homes; the organizers planned to provide access to the seven affected residences. The organizers further planned to fund the race without any public money.[1][15]
In June 2012,Sebastian Vettel did a promotional test run along the proposed route, describing it as "exceptional" before going on to add that it would become a favorite among drivers.[16] Commenting on the elevation changes and turns he said he was reminded of theCircuit de Spa-Francorchamps and theCircuit de Monaco.[17][18][19][20] According to Vettel, the circuit would be made up of "quick, floating corners", and he expected cars would reach speeds of over 200 mph, with the net result being that the circuit would reward the bravest drivers.[16]In August 2012,David Coulthard drove portions of the course to test out the roadways as part of the creation of a promotional video forRed Bull Racing featuring the street circuit and environs.[21][22][23]
The Weehawken Port Imperial ferry terminal, adjacent to the start/finish line
Event organiserLeo Hindery announced in June 2013 that the race had received all necessary local permits and that 31 contractors were engaged in preparation work for the course.[24] The circuit was to consist entirely of existing roads, removing the need to build any sections of circuit exclusively for the race,[1] with the exception of thepit lane.[25] A contract between the municipalities and the race promoters was signed in June 2013.[26] That month, a long-awaited bridge between the building and thePort ImperialHudson–Bergen Light Rail station, seen as an important component of public access to the circuit, was opened.[27][28]
Construction of a previously planned parking garage at the NY Waterway ferry terminal, which was intended for use as race headquarters and paddock,[29][30][31] with space for twenty-four pit garages.,[32] began in July 2012.[33] As envisioned, the ground floor of the building would normally have functioned as retail space, to be transformed each year for use by the race.[29] Construction was completed in the Summer of 2013. In November 2013 ground was broken for two hotels to be built above the parking facility.[34]
Resurfacing and other work on the roads to be used was planned for August to November 2013.[35][36] In order to create a smooth surface, repaving was to be done in a staggered line or "echelon" so that asphalt will not cool as lanes were poured. It remained to be determined whether potential obstacles such as fire hydrants and traffic lights would have been moved.[29]
^Benson, Andrew (June 13, 2012)."F1 champion Sebastian Vettel happy with New Jersey circuit". BBC. Retrieved2013-06-13.The change of elevation is something we really enjoy. A street circuit is always special. It's always very technical. You have these bumps built in and even if you resurface the track, you still have these bumps but it's part of the track. It gives the circuit a bit of soul and it's good for us for orientation and even if it feels rough it belongs to the circuit.
^Scrivner, Micheal (August 15, 2012)."Formula 1 Grand Prix driver tests out portions of Hudson County race course".The Jersey Journal. Retrieved2013-03-22....tested sections of the proposed 3.1-mile race course...to see how a high performance vehicle would react to imperfections in the roadways. "We were wondering about the cracks and everything in the roads, but I don't think they're an issue.
^Pope, Jennifer (August 19, 2012)."Building boom on the waterfront".Hudson Reporter. Retrieved2022-09-15.... an 800-space parking garage and headquarters for the 2013 Port Imperial Grand Prix Formula One race is heading toward completion as well.
