Formula 1 Grand Prix driver tests out portions of Hudson County race course
Published: Wednesday, August 15, 2012, 9:40 PM Updated: Thursday, August 16, 2012, 12:48 AM
WEST NEW YORK — For the second time in four months, the Red Bull Racing Formula 1 team roared through the streets of West New York and Weehawken today at speeds close to 200 miles per hour in preparation for the Formula 1 Grand Prix of America race scheduled for June of next year.
David Coulthard, former Formula 1 Grand Prix driver and current Red Bull Racing Formula 1 Running Show Car driver, tested sections of the proposed 3.1-mile race course along Port Imperial Boulevard, Boulevard East, and Anthony M. Defino Way to see how a high performance vehicle would react to imperfections in the roadways.
Formula 1 Grand Prix driver tests out portions of Hudson County race courseDavid Coulthard, former Formula 1 Grand Prix driver and current Red Bull Racing Formula 1 Running Show Car driver, tested sections of the proposed 3.1-mile race course along Port Imperial Boulevard in Weehawken, and Boulevard East and Anthony M. Defino Way in West New York, on Wednesday, Aug. 15, 2012, to see how a high performance vehicle would react to imperfections in the roadways.Watch video“We were wondering about the cracks and everything in the roads, but I don’t think they’re an issue,” Coulthard told The Jersey Journal after blazing down the streets. “I think people are excited to see what we can do out there.”
Along with test driving the course, the Red Bull Racing Formula 1 team are hoping today’s event will help generate buzz about next year’s Grand Prix race.
“The test drive is meant to bring the world’s attention to New Jersey and New Jersey’s attention to Formula 1 racing,” Tony Burrows, Red Bull Racing’s Support Team Manager, said.
The Red Bull Media House had camera crews on the ground and in the air in two helicopters to capture the test drive and upload the video to the Red Bull Formula 1 website.
The public’s reaction to such events could dictate whether the race will occur next year, one racing expert said.
“The Grand Prix next June is not an official race yet,” Leo Parente, a former Formula 1 racer covering the event for Youtube’s Drive channel, said. “Generally, Formula 1 races are not official until the beginning of the year because local business or politics may interfere with planned races. Events like this are a way to build excitement for the race and keep it from being canceled.”
Currently, the Grand Prix of America is tentatively scheduled for June of next year and the Red Bull Racing Team is confident they can win.
“We won both World Championships in the past two years, we lead in the 2012 Constructors Championship, and now we’re second in the Driver’s Championship,” Burrows said.
“We’re looking to rectify that during the Grand Prix next year.”
