Flavio Briatore has revealed Donald Trump’s involvement in an unsuccessful try and deliver a New Jersey F1 Grand Prix to the Formulation 1 calendar, with Bernie Ecclestone later coming into negotiations over the proposed race. The Alpine govt adviser defined that the challenge emerged at a time when Formulation 1 had far much less affect in the USA than it enjoys at this time.
Formulation 1 is presently experiencing one of many strongest durations of worldwide development in its historical past. Its recognition has risen significantly sharply in the USA, helped lately by the Netflix collection Drive to Survive, and the nation now hosts three races in Austin, Miami and Las Vegas. These occasions have turn out to be a significant a part of the Formulation 1 calendar, representing a exceptional change from the championship’s earlier battle to determine a long-lasting American presence.
Nevertheless, the variety of Formulation 1 races in the USA might have reached 4. Flavio Briatore has disclosed that Donald Trump meant to assist organise a Formulation 1 Grand Prix in New Jersey, bringing the thought to Bernie Ecclestone whereas the British businessman was nonetheless in command of the championship’s industrial operations.
Donald Trump backed a New Jersey F1 Grand Prix
The preliminary proposal concerned making a road circuit via New York. Donald Trump, nevertheless, instantly argued that staging the occasion there could be too tough and that New Jersey represented a extra appropriate and sensible location.
“In fact, Donald had no thought what Formulation 1 was both, however he is a good promoter,” Flavio Briatore mentioned throughout an interview with The Race Enterprise. “On the time, he promoted boxing; he promoted all the pieces in Las Vegas.”
Regardless of Donald Trump’s restricted data of Formulation 1 on the time, Flavio Briatore believed his promotional expertise and connections might assist set up the championship in an essential however difficult market.
How Bernie Ecclestone entered the New Jersey talks
Flavio Briatore subsequently organized a dialog between Donald Trump and Bernie Ecclestone to evaluate the place the proposed American road race could possibly be held.
“I organized for Donald to talk with Bernie. I used to be in Donald’s workplace. We watched a video with Bernie to grasp what the perfect place in New York could be to organise the race,” Flavio Briatore defined.
“However Donald instantly instructed us that staging it in New York could be very tough for one million causes, and that New Jersey was the suitable place. So Bernie started negotiating with two or three completely different folks.”
The plan grew to become one among a number of bold makes an attempt in Formulation 1 historical past to safe a stronger foothold in the USA. On the time, nevertheless, the championship didn’t take pleasure in the identical industrial power, mainstream recognition or degree of fan curiosity it has developed within the nation at this time.
Why the New Jersey Formulation 1 race failed
Regardless of the discussions involving Flavio Briatore, Donald Trump and Bernie Ecclestone, the New Jersey F1 Grand Prix by no means grew to become a actuality. Flavio Briatore believes the restricted standing of Formulation 1 within the American sporting market was one of many decisive obstacles.
“Sadly, we by no means managed to make it occur as a result of Formulation 1 was not thought-about something particular,” Flavio Briatore mentioned. “On the time, folks talked about NASCAR and IndyCar; they had been utterly completely different companies. Formulation 1 was not valued in any respect.”
The failed challenge stands in sharp distinction to Formulation 1’s present-day place in the USA. The championship can now help three American rounds inside a single season, as proven by the 2026 Formulation 1 calendar, whereas races in Austin, Miami and Las Vegas entice appreciable consideration from followers, sponsors and the broader leisure business.
Though the New Jersey Grand Prix was by no means held, Flavio Briatore’s account reveals how Donald Trump grew to become concerned in one among Formulation 1’s early efforts to broaden its American presence—years earlier than the championship lastly achieved the recognition and industrial affect it now enjoys throughout the USA.
Aug 4, 2026
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