American dream put on hold

The Grand Prix of America has been put on hold for one year, with the race to now make its debut in 2014.

Formula One supremo Bernie Ecclestone has confirmed to Press Association Sport the event in New Jersey, with the Manhattan skyline serving as a backdrop, is off the 2013 calendar.

Ecclestone said: "The event is not going to happen until 2014."

Promoters of the race were due to make an official announcement on Friday afternoon, but Ecclestone effectively stole their thunder.

Although prior payment issues have been resolved with Ecclestone, the infrastructure for the Hudson River waterfront location in Weehawken and West New York has thrown up other problems.

The race was scheduled for June 16, a week after the Canadian Grand Prix in Montreal, but it is understood the promoters are behind on road repairs and obtaining permits for the 3.2-mile street track.

Ecclestone added: "The reason is because they didn't quite know what they were doing.

"They got all the permissions together. Everything was done, that was all fine, but then they missed the boat a little on some financing that was coming in.

"Everything is set up, but it's now too late to finish on time."

With regard to the contract, it was understood payments to Ecclestone had been missed, but the 81-year-old added: "It was the guarantees they hadn't come up with. But now they've got their finance together they can come up with the guarantees."