Currently reading: F1 returns to America
Bernie Ecclestone agrees a deal to stage a race in Austin, Texas from 2012

Formula One will return to the US from 2012 after Bernie Ecclestone agreed a deal to stage a race in Austin, Texas.

A new purpose-built facility will be built and host the race until 2021. Lewis Hamilton won the last race to be held at the US in Indianapolis in 2007, ending an eight-year stay at the famous speedway.

"For the first time in the history of Formula 1 in the United States, a world-class facility will be purpose-built to host the event,” said Ecclestone.

"It was 30 years ago that the Formula 1 United States Grand Prix was last held on a purpose-built permanent road course circuit in Watkins Glen, NY (1961-1980), which enjoyed great success.

"Since then, F1 has been hosted by Long Beach, Las Vegas, Detroit, Dallas and Phoenix all on temporary street circuits. Indianapolis joined the ranks of host cities in 2000 when they added a road course inside the famed oval.

"Lewis Hamilton won the last F1 United States Grand Prix in 2007, signalling the end to eight years at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. This however, will be the first time a facility is constructed from the ground up specifically for F1 in the US.”

Manufacturers have long pushed for a race in the US to increase their global exposure. Ecclestone’s contract is with Full Throttle Productions, although there are no details on the track’s layout or location.

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Richard H 28 May 2010

Re: F1 returns to America

disco.stu wrote:

To give it the best possible chance of success, they must not let Tilke design the track. Happy for him to work on the grandstands, just not the track.

I agree, but

http://www.statesman.com/news/local/track-site-engineers-secured-f1-group-says-711472.html

Looks like they've secured Tilke's services......

I wonder if Bernard Charles "Bernie" Ecclestone is a share holder in Tilke GmbH....

It'll be another boring track that could be anywhere in the world.

Los Angeles 26 May 2010

Re: F1 returns to America

Autocar wrote:
Formula One will return to the US from 2012 after Bernie Ecclestone agreed a deal to stage a race in Austin, Texas.
I mean my American cousins no disrespect, but it is my observation F1 has next to no chance of gaining more than a minority following.

Americans have poor ability and patience for concentrated focus, hence their most popular sports are of the start-stop-start-stop-break-to-eat-chat-and-cheer variety, such as baseball, or the sudden burst of speed in a straight line sport, drag racing.

F1 demands watching cars race for lengthy periods, not around an easy to see oval track viewed from any seat. There are only pit stops and occasional accidents allowing time to buy that all important hot dog and coke, with no reason at all for a Mexican wave. And they'd have to learn and pronounce sophisticated words such as chicane, and know what it means. D'oh!

shomann 26 May 2010

Re: F1 returns to America

Seems like a complete waste of money to me. How do they make this work financially running one F1 race a year?

Austin is a great city, but there are many existing tracks that would be fantastic. My vote would be Road America.