F1 racing car drives through Lincoln Tunnel in under 30 seconds

The commute from New Jersey to New York just got a little faster— make that a lot faster— if you are lucky enough to be David Coulthard and drive your Formula 1 race car through the empty lanes of the Lincoln Tunnel for a video shoot to promote the "Grand Prix of America" race tentatively scheduled to take place in New Jersey next June.

Besides fantasizing of getting behind the wheel of his 900-horse power vehicle, weekday commuters can only dream about actually getting through the traffic-less tube in under 30 seconds.

Coulthard reached speeds of 190 mph.  Speed Racers beware.  The speed limit is 35 but poor nine-to-fivers will be lucky to top out at seven.



Coulthard, the current Red Bull Racing Formula 1 Running Car driver, roared through the 1.5 mile tunnel on Wednesday morning with a camera placed in the race car's cockpit.

It was the second time that day the race team revved their engines in the area.  Earlier, Coulthard took a lap on the proposed 3.1 mile course which runs through the streets of Jersey City and Weehawken, N.J..

Wednesday's events may dictate whether the Grand Prix race will take place at all, according to a race spokesman.

"The Grand Prix is not yet an official race," said Leo Parente, a former Formula 1 racer.  "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 build excitement for the race."

Formula One Race Coming To New Jersey

Formula One—the world's top racing-car circuit—will start plans to run a Grand Prix race in June 2013 on the New Jersey side of the Hudson River.

New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie is expected to make the announcement about the long-debated race at a news conference today in Weehawken—where the race will start.

It's Bruce Springsteen's "Born to Run" with an international flair.

While these race cars won't be "Sprung from cages out on highway 9," they will face a challenging course along JFK Boulevard East and River Road—with the towering Manhattan skyline as a backdrop.

The London-based Formula One organization, which  has been discussing a race in the New York-metro area for years, finally made a 10-year deal for a Grand Prix of America Formula One with Jersey officials.

It is expected to be a tourist and financial boom to both sides of the Hudson.

The cars—which are capable of hitting speeds of 200 mph—would head north, passing through city streets and turn right in West New York and head south along the Hudson River to the finish line in Weehawken.

The course has been compared to Spa in Belgium and will have the feel of the famous Circuit de Monaco in Monte Carlo, organizers claim.

There are less than 20 Formula One races worldwide every year, and fans pay big bucks for prime seats.  The U.S. hasn't hosted a Formula One race since Indianapolis in 2007.

Formula One also has a deal for an annual race at a new $250 million track in Austin, Texas.

Start your engines!  "Baby, we were born to run!"