The Formula 1 and the United States They always had a somewhat special relationship. America’s preference for ovals and a strong European presence in the class mean their bond has varied and changed over the course of more than 70 years of racing history.
A story that began at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, the most legendary track on this side of the planet and continued to Watkins Glen, Long Beach or Las Vegas all the way LEVEL.
Now in 2022 the United States will see how the The eleventh circuit in its territory sees the light with the Grand Prix of Miami (May 6 to 8) which will open a new stage in the US-F1 relationship.
This is his story.
All Formula 1 tracks in the United States
| Circuit | Big prizes are contested | Years of running | last winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Indianapolis Speedway (500 miles) | eleven | Between 1950 and 1960 | Jim Rutman |
| sealing circuit | 1 | 1959 | Bruce McLaren |
| circuit by the river | 1 | 1960 | Sterling Moss |
| Watkins Glen Circuit | twenty | Between 1961 and 1980 | Alan Jones |
| Long Beach Circuit | 8 | Between 1976 and 1983 | John Watson |
| Vegas circuit | two | Between 1981 and 1982 | Michele Alboreto |
| Detroit Circuit | 6 | Between 1983 and 1988 | Ayrton Senna |
| Dallas circuit | 1 | 1984 | Keke Rosberg |
| palm circuit | 3 | Between 1989 and 1991 | Ayrton Senna |
| Indianapolis GP track | 8 | Between 2000 and 2007 | Lewis Hamilton |
| Circuit of the Americas | 9 | Since 2012 | Max Verstappen |
| Miami street circuit | 1 | From 2022 | Max Verstappen |
From 500 miles on permanent test
The relationship between the United States and Formula 1 goes back a long way, before the technical regulations were unified that led to the birth of the category as such in 1950. However, the presence of Indianapolis 500 miles inside the racing calendar was not used to see great runners like Juan Manuel Fangio or Giuseppe Farina on the oval (although Ascari raced in 1952 without success), but rather as the Americans’ contact with the highest class of cars. During the 1950s this event was included in the championship, but its differences as F1 progressed meant that in 1959 an alternative was sought at a circuit road.
The point indicated was Sebring as the final event of the season, something that was repeated in 1960 with the California track of Riverside, where two years ago it had already been conducted in an ungraded test. It wasn’t until 1961 that Formula 1 found the right combination in fabulous and very fast Watkins Glen. A track where until 1970 the brakes were hardly pressed and where the speeds were very high. However, in the later configuration, much more similar to the current one, there were two pilot deaths: François Cevert in 1973 and Helmuth Koinigg in 1975.
This circuit in New York State continues to be the one where the Formula 1 World Championship has been held the most times, a place where Graham Hill and Jim Clark were most successful with three wins and has become a must see for category enthusiasts.
In fact, the popularity of the Watkins Glen circuit fueled interest in F1 in the United States to the point that two events were held in the same year as its introduction Long Beach at the American Grand Prix of the West. Between 1976 and 1981, the Californian city hosted a Formula 1 event where there were magical and unforgettable moments such as Mario Andretti’s 1977 triumph.
era of magnificence
Financial problems and the search for new markets led Formula 1 to other parts of the North American geography, semi-urban tracks located in somewhat inhospitable areas and where fans were not particularly abundant. The 1980s saw four new provisions on American soil: Las Vegas, Dallas, Detroit and Phoenix.
The first two didn’t go down in history for their glamour, or their big curves, although they were decisive at one point. For Carlos Reutemann the 1981 test he had a particularly difficult memory because in Las Vegas missed the pick to win the title. While under the hot Dallas sun in JulyNigel Mansell he collapsed a few meters from the finish line after stalling his Lotus.
Secondly, Detroit and Phoenix had a longer tour albeit with different results and sensations. The Michigan circuit was perfect for the competition as it combined gear changes with tight curves, but its poor facilities took it off the calendar in 1988. The Arizona race suffered the same fate, although this was only to see Senna wins again and again. Its demise had a lot to do with low local attendance.
Rise and fall in Indianapolis
After nearly 10 years without an American track on the calendar, an old acquaintance has returned to F1: Indianapolis. This time it would not be on the oval itself but on the Grand Prix version of it, which he ran reverse direction at 500 miles and used its variant road. Since 2000, Indiana Speedway has been the epicenter that brought together thousands of fans of the class and, most importantly, saw Ferrari triumph.
A place of bittersweet memory for Americans, as some moments to be forgotten took place here, such as in 2002, when Rubens Barrichello had to let Michael Schumacher pass due to team orders. In 2004, Ralf Schumacher suffered a very bad accident that broke several vertebrae. The following year was one of the the most embarrassing moments in Formula 1 history when only six cars started because teams wearing Michelin tires were not sure they could race without endangering their drivers.
After the organizer had to refund ticket money to those who claimed it for 2006, Lewis Hamilton’s victory over Fernando Alonso in 2007 ended the oval’s relationship with F1.
Austin and Miami, the new homes of F1
It was not until 2012 that a new permanent circuit entered the calendar. The LEVEL either Circuit of the Americas located in Austin has since been the designated venue for the United States Grand Prix. A modern layout adapted to the needs of the competition which has put on quite a show thanks to the combination of fast corners, straights and big gear changes.
With the 2012, 2015 and 2021 races in memory as some of the most exciting, COTA has shown that it is possible for F1 to take place in this country. Yes, last year The largest crowd in the history of a Grand Prix with more than 400,000 people in attendance.
Now it’s Miami that took over in 2022 with a new track that lived up to fans’ expectations. But the matter does not end there, because 2023 Las Vegas will return to the calendar.
