United States Grand Prix: Preview

Austin is this year celebrating its 10th anniversary since its inauguration and debut on the Formula 1 World Championship calendar. Texas’ capital city swiftly established itself as a favorite of the Formula 1 community, owing to its vibrant hub and passionate fanbase, while the layout of COTA was a hit among the drivers. It gave Formula 1 the US Grand Prix it had craved for decades, with last year’s running reaching new heights, attracting over 400,000 spectators through the course of the weekend.

Part of that grand prix also includes Haas Hill, located between turns 18 and 19 at COTA, where Haas F1 Team fans have gathered since 2016 in order to display their support for the team based out of Kannapolis, North Carolina. 

COTA has provided plenty of thrills since debuting in 2012 and its track layout is conducive to enthralling action. High speed changes of direction through the first sector of the lap take inspiration from iconic circuits Silverstone and Suzuka, while the final chunk of the track features a combination of turns, including the long-radius turn 17, which has become the circuit’s showpiece corner beneath the Observation Tower. These turns are segmented by the lengthy back straightaway that presents drivers with the best overtaking opportunity around the lap. 

Racers Kevin Magnussen and Mick Schumacher are geared up to represent Haas F1 Team on US turf for the second time in 2022, following the Miami Grand Prix in May. Magnussen has partaken in five grands prix at COTA, including three with Haas F1 Team, while Schumacher stands in good stead after his 2021 experience of the venue. Scuderia Ferrari Reserve Driver Antonio Giovinazzi will return to the VF-22 for Free Practice 1, following his prior outing at Monza, and will replace Magnussen for the session. 

Guenther Steiner – Team Principal

Formula 1 returns to the Circuit of The Americas for Round 19 of the 2022 FIA Formula 1 World Championship and for the event’s 10th birthday. Can you summarize what the addition of the US Grand Prix has brought to the sport, both from a commercial and popularity perspective?

“When the US Grand Prix in Austin was first held, it was something completely new. Formula 1 hadn’t been in the States for a long time and there were a lot of naysayers saying it wouldn’t work. Thanks to Bobby Epstein, who kept on pushing, as it’s now a fan favorite after 10 years. Formula 1 without Austin is difficult to think about – Austin has become a classic. It has brought a lot to the fans as they can go to a great event, this season with 400,000 expected spectators and for the rest of the world, it’s great racing in the States.”

 

It’s going to be a busy event for Haas F1 Team at its ‘home’ race, with lots of events, activations, and a few surprises as well. Does a home race bring more pressure, or do you see it as a moment to celebrate everyone involved in the team and how far Haas has come in its seven years on the grid? 

“It’s a mix of both. First of all, it’s a lot of work because there’s lot of things going on, a lot of events but it’s all good things going on and good work. Especially for our team, being our home race, it’s always great and everybody loves coming to Austin. There’s nothing negative about Austin, it’s all positive. Hopefully we can get a good result as well.”

It can’t go unnoticed that every race you turn up to you’re becoming almost more popular than drivers, with fans eager to engage with you for autographs and photos. How do you deal with the attention – especially during an intense race weekend like COTA – and is it something you’re getting used to thanks to the Netflix effect?

“You have to get used to it and how I deal with it, I try to give back to the fans as much as I can. It’s not always possible because there is a lot of attention now, but I respect the fans a lot. Without the fans we wouldn’t be anybody. I enjoy interacting with the fans and I try to do my best.” 

 

With COTA becoming the place for America’s hardcore Formula 1 fan base, and having now raced in Miami this season and with Las Vegas coming up, where do you see those races finding their niche amongst US fans and what qualities does each bring to the calendar?

“I would say COTA is for hardcore fans – they’ve been here now for 10 years and everybody loves to go there, it’s a great race track, great event and a great city. Miami is Miami, we had a lot of people this year, more than a lot, and it’s another great event but it was completely different, it was like a big festival. I don’t know what Las Vegas will be but it will be big as well. We always have to think that the US is a big country and to have three races, it’s still not enough, I believe. There is something for everybody and I think each event has something in particular about it. Two of them have done a good job and I’m sure Las Vegas will do a good job as well.”