Indianapolis, Las Vegas, Austin & Co: Formula 1 venues in the USA

During its long history, Formula 1 has been contested at many circuits in the USA with varying degrees of success, but the top category of motor racing now appears to have made its home at the Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas. DHL-In-Motion.com would like to introduce you to the many other circuits where the United States Grand Prix has been held in the past.

Indianapolis 500, 1950 - 1960

The Indy 500 was part of Formula 1 for the first ten years but none of the European F1 drivers actually competed in it. On the other hand, there are many American drivers, whose names appear in the record books of the elite class but only ever lined up in the Indy 500 and actually had nothing to do with Formula 1.

United States Grand Prix, 1959, Sebring

The first ‘proper’ United States Grand Prix, held at the Sebring International Raceway in Florida in 1959, was a modest success. The race was originally planned to be the season opener but was then postponed to December and took place within the context of the 12-Hours of Sebring. Spectator numbers were low and financially, it was a flop, which is why Formula 1 never returned to Sebring.

United States Grand Prix, 1960, Riverside

Formula 1 was back in the USA the following year but at Riverside on the west coast of California and not in Florida. This race was also a one-off and was won by Sir Stirling Moss.

United States Grand Prix, 1961 - 1980, Watkins Glen

For 20 years, Watkins Glen was the home of the US Grand Prix. Formula 1 was staged for the first time in the state of New York in 1961. Drivers felt comfortable at the circuit there and found it very appealing. By the end of the sixties, Watkins Glen was considered to be too dangerous, so the track was widened and lengthened considerably. Drivers liked the circuit even more after the modifications, and Formula 1 remained at Watkins Glen until 1980.

United States Grand Prix West, 1976 - 1983, Long Beach

There were other Formula 1 meetings in the USA during the same period that F1 was at Watkins Glen. A Grand Prix was held on a beautiful street circuit at Long Beach, California, from 1976 onwards. Formula 1 eventually left Long Beach in 1983, because Bernie Ecclestone and the organizers could not reach agreement on further races.

Caesars Palace Grand Prix, 1981 - 1982, Las Vegas

Formula 1 raced in Las Vegas in 1981 and 1982 on the parking lot of the Caesars Palace hotel. By staging the race, the city in Nevada was trying to rid itself of its mafia image, but because only few spectators came to watch and drivers did not like the humpy track, the partnership came to an end after only two years. Alan Jones and Michele Alboreto took the wins in the gambling capital of Las Vegas.

Detroit Grand Prix, 1982 - 1988

In 1982, Formula 1 was once again able to get established at another venue in the United States with the Grand Prix in Detroit which is where it remained until 1988. The circuit in the automobile metropolis suited the Brazilian drivers in particular. Ayrton Senna and Nelson Piquet won four of the seven races.

Dallas Grand Prix, 1984

Dallas was a hit in the eighties and not just on TV with J.R. Ewing & Co. The city in Texas also hosted Formula 1 in 1984. However, this was again a one-off affair. Keke Rosberg won the two-hour race.

United States Grand Prix, 1989 - 1991, Phoenix

For three years in succession, Formula 1 struck camp at a street circuit in Arizona’s capital, Phoenix. Ayrton Senna achieved two wins there while Alain Prost triumphed once. Formula 1 subsequently turned its back on the USA for a number of years and did not return until 2000.

United States Grand Prix, 2000 - 2007, Indianapolis

Forty years after the Indy 500 had last been part of the Formula 1 world championship, the elite series returned to Indianapolis and the legendary Brickyard. This time, though, as a stand-alone event. Also, only certain parts of the oval were used, and most of the track consisted of the twisty infield section. The strangest race in F1 history took place there in 2005. Since the track’s surface was too hard on the Michelin tires, only three teams lined up – Ferrari, Jordan and Minardi – who were on Bridgestone rubber. After this farce, Formula 1’s end at Indianapolis was predestined. F1 bade farewell to the USA once again in 2007.

United States Grand Prix, from 2012 to the present, Austin

Formula 1 returned to the USA and Texas in 2012, but to Austin not Dallas, where Hermann Tilke had constructed the Circuit of the Americas. He adapted different elements of more traditional tracks in order to make the circuit as attractive as possible. And so, certain sections are redolent of Hockenheim’s Motodrom while others remind you of the Maggots-Becketts-Chapel sequence of turns at Silverstone.

Formula 1 meetings at Austin, Texas, attracted lots of spectators right from the start. Motor racing’s crowning glory finally appears to have found a venue in the United States that it can call home in the long term.