7 Places Formula 1 Should Race In America
Formula 1 has a good home in the Circuit of the Americas, in Texas, but the series has always been looking to expand its viewership in the USA with more races. Liberty Media’s takeover of F1 could be the start of that. Here are some of the possible options or places where F1 could go.
1. New York
A street race in New York was proposed for the 2013 season and one in New Jersey was included on the provisional calendar, before being delayed to 2014. We haven’t heard anything about it since then but recently Formula E has confirmed it will race next year at a street track in Brooklyn.
New York is one of the biggest and most famous cities in the world, so it’s obvious getting F1 there would be a big deal and could also help introduce the series to the market. Plus, wherever you have the race (and it’d probably be somewhere along the river), there’d be a spectacular backdrop from all angles.
When people think of cities in the USA, New York and Los Angeles are probably the most famous and well known. F1 raced at the Long Beach street track, located in Los Angeles County, in the late 1970s and 80s. This would be an important race for F1 and it’s been a rumoured location for some time.
How awesome would that be, right? It’s probably not that likely, as the track wouldn’t be the best fit for F1 and might need modification. But imagine seeing 22 cars threading through the Corkscrew - it would be quite a sight. F1 at Laguna Seca would be immensely popular.
4. Las Vegas
F1 has actually raced in Las Vegas before, as the Caesars Palace Grand Prix. It was basically a track in the Caesars Palace car park and wasn’t particularly well received. But a street race in Las Vegas, maybe taking in the famous ‘strip’, would be pretty big for F1 and a unique event.
5. Road America
OK, this one probably isn’t very likely, but Road America is one of the USA’s most famous and historic race tracks. It isn’t completely suited to F1 but the cars would be pretty rapid around there - especially when you see how quickly IndyCar machines are there. It’s a little more remote than some of the other options, which would also be a stumbling block.
Watkins Glen already has a good history with F1, having held the US GP from 1961 to 1980. It’s a twisty and flowing track, which would be a treat for F1 drivers. It’s also not too far away from New York and Niagara Falls.
7. Detroit
F1 has raced in Detroit before but I wouldn’t necessarily go back to that old track. I think of all the street tracks IndyCar goes to, and the Belle Isle track is probably well suited to single-seater racing. It’s a big city, too, and would be a good race to have alongside the current US GP, which is the other side of the country in Texas.
Where would you like to see F1 race in the US? Let us know in the comments!
Comments
It says “places in America”, but I didn’t see Bogotá… I just don’t know why!…
Dont worry my colombian friend… i know your struggle
Quebec is just as bad and they had it in Montreal…so keep your hopes up :)
Laguna seca would be amazing!! That’s a high down force track and hard to overtake. I would love to see a race there.
chicago……. think about how great it would look for the cars to be flying down lake shore drive, and the oak street beach bend
PLEASE COME TO HOMESTEAD-MIAMI! If the 1998 season of GT1 can come, why can’t F1 come?
Why not Daytona?
Running the 24 hour course would be awesome!
Hurricane Matthew.
Only one of those is a possibility — the Glen. They just got their F1 certification for the track. I assume that ISC would have to come up with $100+ million for the rest tho. CoTA spent a rumored $660 Million on that track, and it’s only a matter of time before they are forced into bankruptcy to refinance and shed debt. No other venue has that amount of money. All to that the $25 million sanctioning fee, plus half of the gate that F1 takes with them, and the inability to do local sponsors, and you are left with only one option — government funding. And quite frankly, I don’t see any of these venues who want to spend that kind of money simply to lose money.
As a person who frequents road america ive thought this many times. Its the pit space f1 requires that RA doesnt have
You can cross off any track with Indycar races at the moment because Bernie doesnt want you to know the tiny difference in time between the way less expensive indy and F1
all are good ideas but clearly we need F1 at Laguna Seca, if nowhere else. I love long beach too
Seattle?