Formula 1 Needs to Get Its Act Together in the United States

By
at Internationaled.org

Published: December 27, 2015

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Just as Formula One is finally, possibly clawing its way into the collective American sporting consciousness, it is all set to go bust.

Again.

In 2016, the Haas F1 Team will make its debut as the first American entry since 1977, Alexander Rossi could be behind the wheel of a Mercedes-powered (read: competitive) Manor car and Americans will be able to watch it all thanks to a broadcast deal with NBC. And of course, the stunning Circuit of the Americas (COTA) in Austin, Texas, is set to host its fifth U.S. Grand Prix.

Maybe.

After this year's race, Eric Dexheimer of the Austin American-Statesman reported that the state was cutting its funding for the grand prix by more than 20 percent.


"To use a technical term," COTA chairman Bobby Epstein told the Statesman, "I think we're screwed."

When the FIA, F1's governing body, released the 2016 race calendar earlier in December, the U.S. Grand Prix was included, subject to an agreement being signed with the promoter.

"Forecasts are difficult," F1 boss Bernie Ecclestone told German magazine Auto Motor und Sport (h/t Reuters) last week when asked about the future of the popular race in Austin. "They knew exactly what it would cost when they signed the contract with us. They knew that they would have to build a race track and what it costs to put on a grand prix."



In the end, the F1 bigwigs need to decide whether they want to be players in the U.S. or not and, if they do, then amateur hour needs to end.

In 2005, an avoidable tyre fiasco led to all but six cars withdrawing at the start of the race in Indianapolis. Three years later, the race was gone. Now, another avoidable disaster beckons—avoidable because COTA's financial problems could be eased if Ecclestone agreed to reduce the excessive race hosting fee paid by the circuit.

As Ecclestone said, they signed a contract, but des...
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Formula 1

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