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Formula One is returning to the United States in 2012, bringing its ultra-fast cars and flair for the exotic to the land of longhorn cattle and cowboy hats.
Formula One’s 2012 calendar with the US Grand Prix in Austin on Nov. 18 was approved at a World Motor Sport Council meeting in New Delhi, India, this week. Race organisers announced a 10-year deal with F1 boss Bernie Ecclestone, ending a contract dispute that threatened to kill the race and a new $300 million track being built for it.
Work on the Circuit of The Americas had been stopped for several weeks during the dispute. Race officials said construction would resume immediately and would be finished in time for the race.
The Austin race will mark F1’s first in the United States since 2007.
“Now it’s time to make it happen,” said Steve Sexton, president of Circuit of the Americas. “We never did run out of gas. We may have slowed down and tapped the breaks a little, but now we’re at full speed.”
F1’s presence in the US will increase in 2013, the first in a 10-year deal that will put a race in New Jersey along the Hudson River waterfront across from Manhattan. New Zealand Herald
The group behind the venue have announced the money owed to Formula 1 chief Bernie Ecclestone has now been paid and it is all systems go to get the circuit ready to host F1 for the first time on 16-18 November next year.
Founding partner Red McCombs said: “Mr Ecclestone received his cheque today.
“We want to thank the fans supporting us, the local officials and businesses that have encouraged us, the State of Texas, Circuit of The Americas’ staff and Bernie himself.”
McCombs’ partner Bobby Epstein said the group bringing F1 to Texas had never doubted its long-term future viability. ITV
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