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The Canadian Grand Prix is now over and the F1 Circus has left North America. But later this year, we will see F1 once again stage a race in the United States - in NASCAR country.
If everything goes according to plan.
Formula 1 left the States for some years now. There wasn't much money made with the grand prix, which back then was held on Indianapolis' superspeedway. A clash with the George family, who owned the track, eventually ended the deal.
That's why in November this year, the United States Grand Prix is coming back at Circuit of the Americas, in Austin, Texas.
Then, all of a sudden, we were told our cousins from the south would have not just one, but two grands prix, another one being in the making. That second race will be held on a new track located in New Jersey - with New York city right there in the background.
Still, many people we chatted with during the Montreal weekend seemed skeptical about those two events.
The Circuit of the Americas' official website may claim construction works are progressing well, still, several experts doubt track and facilities will be ready in time.
Plus, just like an excellent colleague of mine pointed it out, the Austin Grand Prix is scheduled on the same weekend as other major sports events - the NASCAR 2012 Sprint series showdown race for one. Where do you think every American motorsports journalists will be? At Austin to see F1, or at Miami-Homestead for NASCAR?
Things are not looking any better as far as spectators are concerned. Many professional and college teams, both in basketball and football, are in action - which decreases the number of potential spectators for Austin.
Did I mention there are no American driver or team in F1?
As far as the New Jersey venue is concerned, we don't know much about it.
We saw some shots of concrete buildings in the works, but that doesn't mean anything. They still have to put the layout down, obtain their permits, finish the infrastructures, figure out the logistics, meet the FIA's and the FOM's scope statement - in other words, a lot of work which involves a lot money.
Let's hope these two projects succeed, but don't book your plane tickets yet... Wait a little longer.
If everything goes according to plan.
Formula 1 left the States for some years now. There wasn't much money made with the grand prix, which back then was held on Indianapolis' superspeedway. A clash with the George family, who owned the track, eventually ended the deal.
That's why in November this year, the United States Grand Prix is coming back at Circuit of the Americas, in Austin, Texas.
Then, all of a sudden, we were told our cousins from the south would have not just one, but two grands prix, another one being in the making. That second race will be held on a new track located in New Jersey - with New York city right there in the background.
Still, many people we chatted with during the Montreal weekend seemed skeptical about those two events.
The Circuit of the Americas' official website may claim construction works are progressing well, still, several experts doubt track and facilities will be ready in time.
Plus, just like an excellent colleague of mine pointed it out, the Austin Grand Prix is scheduled on the same weekend as other major sports events - the NASCAR 2012 Sprint series showdown race for one. Where do you think every American motorsports journalists will be? At Austin to see F1, or at Miami-Homestead for NASCAR?
Things are not looking any better as far as spectators are concerned. Many professional and college teams, both in basketball and football, are in action - which decreases the number of potential spectators for Austin.
Did I mention there are no American driver or team in F1?
As far as the New Jersey venue is concerned, we don't know much about it.
We saw some shots of concrete buildings in the works, but that doesn't mean anything. They still have to put the layout down, obtain their permits, finish the infrastructures, figure out the logistics, meet the FIA's and the FOM's scope statement - in other words, a lot of work which involves a lot money.
Let's hope these two projects succeed, but don't book your plane tickets yet... Wait a little longer.
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| Photo: Circuit of the Americas |