Formula One world champion Sebastian Vettel has gotten a preview of the upcoming New Jersey racetrack, taking to the circuit in a high performance saloon.

The Red Bull driver was given free rein over the closed-off 3.2 mile road circuit, which winds along the streets of Port Imperial, Weehawken and West New York, with the New York City skyline as the backdrop.

Cameras and policecars followed the driver's every move as crowds watched on - when the inaugural race is held next June up to 100,000 spectators are expected.

Vettel says the track has promise: "I'm really looking forward to the race next year.

"Obviously it was a good chance to for us to get a first idea of the track. As we touched on, a couple of things to be done... Speed bumps in the way. But it's good."

He went on: "I'm quite surprised by the elevation change - up and down - it's pretty steep, the hill, the way it goes up and then there's another nice left-hander going down so there could be some very nice corners in there and good fun to drive."

Formula One is not as popular in the United States as elsewhere in the world but it is set for a boost with the New Jersey Grand Prix and the US Grand Prix in Texas.