Briatore Discloses Failed Trump-Backed Plan for a New Jersey F1 Grand Prix

In an interview, Alpine advisor Flavio Briatore said he collaborated with Donald Trump to explore a Formula 1 event in the New York region, later shifting focus to New Jersey due to logistical challenges. He arranged a meeting between Trump and former F1 chief Bernie Ecclestone, using Trump’s experience as a promoter despite his limited knowledge of the sport. Ecclestone entered talks with multiple stakeholders, but the venture collapsed because Formula 1 was not considered a major attraction in the U.S., which was then dominated by NASCAR and IndyCar.

Briatore noted that the United States now supports three Grands Prix—Austin, Miami and Las Vegas—and that fan interest has surged. He also advocated for expanding the Sprint race format to every race weekend to increase on-track action. The failed New Jersey project remains a little-known chapter in F1’s American expansion.