Trump’s New York vision pointed toward New JerseySpeaking about the abandoned plan, Briatore recalled how he and Trump approached then-F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone after the championship’s relationship with Indianapolis ended in 2007. While Trump was not an expert on the sport, Briatore saw his promotional instincts as a major asset. "Sure, Donald had no idea as well about Formula 1 - but he's a great promoter," Briatore told The Race’s Darren Cox. “I made Donald talk with Bernie. Briatore believes the landscape has since been transformed, largely thanks to Liberty Media’s commercial approach after acquiring F1 in 2017.