After F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone canceled a visit to Melbourne--the opening round of the 2011 F1 championship following Bahrain's cancellation--to visit New York mayor Michael Bloomberg, the paddock's rumormill went into high gear that Staten Island could be a site for an upcoming Grand Prix. Staten Island, however, says it hasn't heard anything about such a plan.
"We've heard nothing about the proposal," a spokesman for Staten Island councilman Vincent Ignizio told the Austin American-Statesman.
Even if an F1 race were to come to Staten Island, insiders worry that the four access points, choked by small bridges, wouldn't allow enough traffic flow to support the event. Beyond that, the people of the borough would likely oppose the race, just as they opposed a plan to build a NASCAR track back in 2004.
Despite the rumors in Staten Island, Austin, Texas, is still the best bet for a U.S. F1 race, with the track there already underway, and due for completion by the end of 2012 season. If it's done in time, it could just slip onto the 2012 F1 calendar.
[GMM]
