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US Grand Prix returns to F1 in 2012<!-- end title -->
 

<!-- credit -->By Jonathan Noble<!-- end credit -->

Tuesday, May 25th 2010, 17:26 GMT

The United States Grand Prix will return to the Formula 1 calendar in 2012 after a deal was struck for a race to be held in Austin, Texas.

Following weeks of speculation about the potential return of a race in America, F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone announced on Tuesday night that the event will take place from 2012 to 2021 on a new purpose-built facility in Austin.

Ecclestone said: "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.

"It was thirty 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."

The deal with Ecclestone has been put together by promoters Full Throttle Productions, and its managing partner Tavo Hellmund.

Speaking about the deal, which comes after speculation of events in New Jersey and New York State, Hellmund said: "This is a case of the right timing in the right place. As many Americans know, Austin has earned a reputation as one of the 'it' cities in the United States.

"We are extremely honoured and proud to reach an agreement with the F1 Commercial Rights Holder. We have been diligently working together for several years to bring this great event to Austin, the State of Texas and back to the United States. All parties involved have a great amount of trust and confidence in each other and are committed to establishing the Formula 1 United States Grand Prix in Austin, Texas as a prestigious global event."

No details have yet emerged about the track layout, or whereabouts in Austin the venue will be built.

 Bernie has been pushing for this for some time now, and i believe he will make it happen come hell or high water.

He had proposed a street race through Liberty park (gateway to Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty), but the mayor of Jersey City nixed it out the gates apparently.

This looks like it has some promise though, and i would love to see a USGP on the calendar again, especially after re-securing Montreal.

Posted By mxpop on 05-25-2010 06:59 PM
Look for 18" wheels and 1500cc 4cyl turbo motors. You heard it here first......

I would've thought 2.0L 4-cyl turbo in keeping with the FIA 'world engine' concept, or whatever it's called.  But it'll definitely be boosted!

Ah... I love Austin   Flying there Thursday actually

Posted By l4mbch0ps on 05-26-2010 11:38 AM
Rumour also has it that Tilke has the design contract for the circuit. Frowns all around...

Booo, Hisss.  Bahhhh! 

Say it ain't so.

Posted By Mark on 05-27-2010 06:52 AM
They just seem like cookie cutter tracks and lack the balls out and passing zones needed.

Just copy road america. 3 huge straights with 3 big braking zones, the kink, the carousel, canada corner....

F1 cars at a track like RA would be awesome.

The main fear I have for this contract is actually getting the funding and the track built for the 2012 season. I hope it happens, but I feel 2013 would have been a much safer bet.

It's true, Tilke isn't the worst designer in the world. He has some good tracks, not necessarily his newest ones, and it can hardly be argued that he is one of the great F1 track designers. Hopefully the focus remains on the racing - some of the tracks are just not realistic for an F1 race.

From this article, it sounds like they have some good themes in mind - rumored to be a hilly track, which i can't help but love - and apparently over three miles in length. 

formula-one.speedtv.com/article/f1-...tin-track/

I won't let it dampen my excitement for this development!

As far as the timing is concerned, any other state but Texas, and i might be inclined to agree, but like the article says, land is bought, all the rights and permissions are secured. Texas knows how to do big sports, and i think it has the potential to show through with this production.

Sorry, can't talk anymore... watching P2 in Istanbul right now

Posted By spdracerut on 05-25-2010 07:09 PM

Posted By mxpop on 05-25-2010 06:59 PM
Look for 18" wheels and 1500cc 4cyl turbo motors. You heard it here first......

I would've thought 2.0L 4-cyl turbo in keeping with the FIA 'world engine' concept, or whatever it's called.  But it'll definitely be boosted!

That's correct, the tender will be for a 2.0L 4 cylinder. I don't believe in-line was specified. Trust me on this one. There will be no early 80's style 1500cc turbo engines in F1 in 2012.

On the plane ride over here (Indy), I was talking to a bunch of Texans heading to the Indy 500 about the F1 races in Austin. They barely have any idea what Formula 1 is. It was kind of funny actually.

 Anyone that's into Indy and not into F1 just hasn't been exposed to it I think

Posted By Eric Hsu on 05-29-2010 06:01 AM

That's correct, the tender will be for a 2.0L 4 cylinder. I don't believe in-line was specified. Trust me on this one. There will be no early 80's style 1500cc turbo engines in F1 in 2012.

 

Very interesting......... V4 MotoGP style?  They are making roughly 250hp NA out of 800cc.
 

Posted By Eric Hsu on 05-29-2010 06:01 AM

...I was talking to a bunch of Texans heading to the Indy 500 about the F1 races in Austin. They barely have any idea what Formula 1 is. It was kind of funny actually.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=okjO...re=related