Formula 1- A Fan’s Perspective on the USGP
Editor’s Note: John Olsakovsky attended the inaugural USGP at the Circuit of the Americas this past weekend, and he has returned with some good things to say about the event and some places where COTA could improve. Many thought it wouldn’t happen, and despite lawsuits, work stoppages and an extremely tight deadline, Bernie’s circus came to Circuit of the Americas near Austin, Texas for the return of Formula One to the United States after... [Read More...]
Video – First F1 Lap Around COTA
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Formula 1 – Miracle on Congress Avenue
Merry Christmas, US Formula 1 fans! After learning that the Circuit of The Americas (COTA) actually had the money, or so was the claim, and that the breakdown between their group and Formula One Management (FOM) was a result of a disagreement on the details of the contract offered to COTA, we wrote optimistically about the potential of the USGP returning to the 2012 Formula 1 calendar. We knew that it was a long shot renegotiating a contract at the... [Read More...]
F1 – COTA’s Last Struggle to Make the 2012 Schedule
Christmas come yet for the Circuit of the Americas and all American Formula 1 fans! We reported earlier that it seemed that the inaugural Formula 1 United States Grand Prix in Austin at the Circuit of the Americas (COTA) was all but off the schedule. Even in a press release made by COTA, the organizers were convinced that they weren’t going to be making the 2012 season and were instead already setting their sights on the 2013 season. In a... [Read More...]
F1 – The Austin GP Might Be A Bit Late
When the plan was announced last year that Tavo Helmut wanted to create a world-class road racing circuit in Austin Texas and host a Formula 1 Grand Prix, we were rather skeptical. Mike was raising questions about the project as early as June of last year when he asked How Can Austin Succeed Where Indy Failed. Mike again expressed the skepticism that we all were feeling as he looked at 2012 Venues Under Threat. While he took a bashing from many,... [Read More...]
F1 – Thoughts on the Austin Track Map
One more step has been taken toward having a Formula 1 grand prix race in Austin, Texas. The proposed Tilke-designed track map including elevations has been released. My first thought is that this can’t be a Tilke track. There’s no chicane in front of the hairpins. (tongue firmly planted in cheek) 3.6 miles in 20 turns with 133 feet of elevation change, hairpins, high-speed sweepers, medium-speed technical sections, the circuit really... [Read More...]
F1 – How Can Austin Succeed Where Indy Failed
McLaren team principal Martin Whitmarsh recently made his feelings known about the return of the USGP to Austin, Texas in a phone interview with Autosport. His most poignant statement was “I think Formula 1 is used to being poured into markets that want us badly there…. North America frankly doesn’t need Formula 1, so I think it’s for us to go and prove to North America that this is an interesting sport and spectacle and... [Read More...]
F1 – USGP Returns in 2012
The United States Grand Prix is set for yet another return as the traveling circus trades in their glitz in glamour for cowboy hats. The event was announced to day by Formula 1 and will be held in Austin Texas from 2012 to 2021. The race is slated to be held on a new fixed circuit that will be purpose built for the event. This is the first time since 1980 that the race will be held on a purpose built, fixed road course and the first time ever a site... [Read More...]
