Formula One supremo Bernie Ecclestone says he has not written off a planned grand prix in New Jersey next year despite increasing doubts about the chances of it going ahead after being postponed once already.

“They have a contract. So if they comply with the contract the race will take place. We would be very, very happy if it does,” the Briton said yesterday.

“They have got conditions and they know what the conditions are,” he added.

Ecclestone was quoted earlier by CNN as saying that the inaugural Grand Prix of the Americas, which would have New York’s Manhattan skyline as a backdrop, was “not on the cards for next year” because local organisers “haven’t got any money”.

The 82-year-old added that it was similar to a failed project to take the British Grand Prix from Silverstone to Donington Park.

“It is such a muddle and a mess that it is not worth doing,” he was quoted as saying.

Asked whether he had effectively written New Jersey off, Ecclestone replied: “No, no.”

He said he did not know what the financial situation was but “if they haven’t got any money it won’t happen for sure”.

Ecclestone has a potential 21 races jostling for space on the 2014 calendar with the majority of teams preferring a maximum of 20.