That is a surprise!
The United States Grand Prix will return to the Formula 1 calendar in 2012 after a deal was struck for a race to be held in Austin, Texas.
Following weeks of speculation about the potential return of a race in America, F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone announced on Tuesday night that the event will take place from 2012 to 2021 on a new purpose-built facility in Austin.
Ecclestone said: "For the first time in the history of Formula 1 in the United States, a world-class facility will be purpose-built to host the event.
"It was thirty years ago that the Formula 1 United States Grand Prix was last held on a purpose-built permanent road course circuit in Watkins Glen, NY (1961-1980), which enjoyed great success.
"Since then, F1 has been hosted by Long Beach, Las Vegas, Detroit, Dallas and Phoenix all on temporary street circuits. Indianapolis joined the ranks of host cities in 2000 when they added a road course inside the famed oval.
"Lewis Hamilton won the last F1 United States Grand Prix in 2007, signalling the end to eight years at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. This however, will be the first time a facility is constructed from the ground up specifically for F1 in the US."
The deal with Ecclestone has been put together by promoters Full Throttle Productions, and its managing partner Tavo Hellmund.
Speaking about the deal, which comes after speculation of events in New Jersey and New York State, Hellmund said: "This is a case of the right timing in the right place. As many Americans know, Austin has earned a reputation as one of the 'it' cities in the United States.
"We are extremely honoured and proud to reach an agreement with the F1 Commercial Rights Holder. We have been diligently working together for several years to bring this great event to Austin, the State of Texas and back to the United States. All parties involved have a great amount of trust and confidence in each other and are committed to establishing the Formula 1 United States Grand Prix in Austin, Texas as a prestigious global event."
No details have yet emerged about the track layout, or whereabouts in Austin the venue will be built.
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Lot's of European and Arab money flowing to make sure we're going to see the fastest and most tech cars ever built, and now much closer to CA that I could ever hope for. GREAT!
BTW, there's lot's of Europeans around F1 forums saying, argh, Texas, red necks, you know, the usual limousine or I should say now Ferrari liberal narrative, since they don't use limos much!. (There I just coined the term Ferrari liberal...LOL). They say Texas is the worst of America, heart of Nascar, Bush, well, they're in for a surprise!
And of all places, Austin is actually very cool, maybe it's the closest thing to CA outside of CA. AFAIK they're all into green, ecoboost and stuff like that, maybe only Portland is worse (SF does not count because there's too many asians and mexicans, they can be very conservative in the worst sense - like the Indian woman "respectfully" walking behind her husband while shopping and stuff like that that simply make my blood boil). There's a study I read once that says that the more white is a city, the more liberal it is, and certainly there's truth to that.
"Epic fail. It's the heart of NASCAR-land. Many people in such an area are stereotypically referred to as a certain colour of the neck."
Europeans probably expect saloons and cowboy hats everywhere, this is going to be fun. Dell is located there, right? When it's the Austin City Limits? I've never been there, but wife (texted me from there, she's on a biz trip) says the nightlife in Austin is great...hummm...wait!
Now I'm actually thinking about moving to Texas...
Today.
