“More races in our time zone are suitable for F1”

Last month, Formula 1 announced that it would visit Miami for ten years, starting in 2022. There, the first season will race in a street circuit around Hard Rock Stadium for US soccer team the Miami Dolphin. The race should be the second annual F1 meeting in the United States, along with the US Grand Prix at the Circuit of the Americas. Bobby Epstein, race promoter and president of nearby Austin Circuit, is delighted that the sport is expanding its presence in the United States.

“I think it’s good for sport to have more races in our time zone,” Epstein said. Utwick. He thinks F1 will do well if you organize US meetings at different times of the year. “The fact that we’re not back-to-back is also better for the sport. If F1 came and drove here two consecutive weekends, I don’t think the effect would be that great. That way the effect doubles. Miami will sell easily in the first year and maybe the second year, but then it will split.” The crowd if we’re on the calendar in quick succession. So it’s a great spread. “

Third race in the US “Good for F1”

In recent years, Formula 1 has gained popularity in the United States. Epstein notes that interest in US Grand Prix tickets has increased, thanks in large part to the success of the Netflix series Drive to Survive. So he doubts there will be enough interest if a third American race is added to the calendar. “I think there are a number of other places you could work in. Las Vegas is now on everyone’s list and I think it would be good for sports if that became a reality.”

As for Circuit of the Americas, the current contract with F1, which began in 2012, expires at the end of this year. Epstein attended the Spanish Grand Prix last weekend and is supposed to speak to Formula One leaders about extending the agreement. The promoter of the GP in the United States is confident that a new deal will be closed. “It’s the first chance we had to meet, outside of conversations through Zoom.“ When the amounts are right, it’s very easy to strike a deal, ”Epstein said.“ We’ve been talking about it for a long time. I think we both want that to happen and that is the best place to start. “