Greetings from Austin!

Circuit of The Americas

Before writing about what’s happening at and around this weekend’s historic United States Grand Prix, a round of congratulations are in order for the enormous efforts of Circuit of The Americas, Tilke Engineering GmbH, and to the people of Austin for their vitality and enthusiasm in creating a new home for Formula 1.

This is the third visit I’ve made to Austin since 2011, and it’s been a pleasure to meet so many locals along the way.  From the people directly involved with the circuit who have come so far to produce this inaugural race to those who’ve shared their home town and passion for making this year’s race a success, Austin is truly a special place, and I’m looking forward to experiencing the only GP like it in the world.

Several events around the race should be of particular interest, starting with Wednesday’s FOTA fan forum for US fans to meet and ask questions with key personnel, drivers and personalities in Formula 1.  Follow @F1US for live tweets beginning at 6:30pm EST from the panel discussion.

To cover Austin in more detail, a separate twitter account has been created for localized tweets and news from the circuit as well as out and about in town.  Follow @F1Austin for news of special events, updates, and retweets from everyone as Austin gears up for a special weekend.

Finally, F1 in America was mentioned in this month’s Red Bulletin – check out the December issue in print and online.

- Peter Habicht

@habicht

1 Comment

Filed under American F1 circuits, American F1 Events, Circuit of the Americas, F1 in America, United States Grand Prix

Grand Prix of America and Circuit of The Americas dates on provisional 2013 F1 Calendar

 

 

 

The 2013 provisional calendar shows both American F1 races scheduled for next year with a June 16th date at the Grand Prix of America circuit in West New York/Weehawken.  As expected, it’s 1 week after the Canadian Grand Prix in nearby Montreal.

Circuit of the Americas will keep it’s Fall timeframe with November 17th as the scheduled date, 1 week before the Thanksgiving holiday.

This schedule is subject to approval by the FIA at a September 28 meeting, but should be a leading indicator for American F1 fans when to plan holiday travel for next year.  Valencia has been dropped from the calendar to make room for the New Jersey race.

 

2013 Formula 1 calendar (Provisional)

March 17 Australia (Melbourne)
March 24 Malaysia (Sepang)
April 14 China (Shanghai)
April 21 Bahrain (Sakhir)
May 12 Spain (Barcelona)
May 26 Monaco (Monte Carlo)
June 9 Canada (Montreal)
June 16 America (New Jersey) *
June 30 Britain (Silverstone)
July 21 Germany (Hockenheim)
July 28 Hungary (Hungaroring)
September 1 Belgium (Spa)
September 8 Italy (Monza)
September 22 Singapore (Marina Bay) *
October 6 Japan (Suzuka)
October 13 Korea (Yeongam) *
October 27 India (Buddh International Circuit)
November 3 Abu Dhabi (Yas Marina)
November 17 United States (Austin)
November 24 Brazil (Interlagos)

* subject to finalized contract and circuit completion

1 Comment

Filed under American F1 circuits, American F1 Events, Circuit of the Americas, GP of America, United States Grand Prix

Red Bull’s American Formula 1 Team

A recent Economist article on Bernie Ecclestone and F1 mentioned Red Bull’s interest the formation of an American F1 team with US drivers – a timely startup for any group willing to develop a team and spend the dollars to do it right with two new races arriving shortly in Austin and New Jersey.

The article covers several other key points about F1′s current state of affairs, but the second sentence in the quote below is absolutely on the mark.  One question for US fans might be that given the team’s origins in an Austrian drinks firm, what would they need to feel the team is a truly American effort?

Red Bull . . . is said to be looking at launching a new “Stars and Stripes” Formula One team with American drivers. Local drivers boost audiences.

F1′s return to the US this November makes for an exciting time for fans here, and news along these lines is certainly an encouraging sign for things to come…

4 Comments

Filed under American F1 drivers, brand strategy in F1, F1 cars in America, F1 in America, Uncategorized