While I find COTA to be a complete snooze of a track...Tough to get excited about COTA regardless. I know we'll never see Formula 1 at the best US tracks because they're not set-up for huge crowds/endorsements/business deals and swanky rooftop parties - and that's a shame. There are a dozen tracks which could provide a phenomenal F1 race, and COTA is not one of them.
I'm not really sure where all the disdain for COTA comes from. I've never been there but I always thought it's wide range of corners and elevation changes were an interesting and eclectic mix. Perhaps because it was designed to have those corners and they were't all naturally built into the existing countryside but partially engineered that people see it as kind of phony? And indeed some of their angles were even modeled on, we can even say pilfered from other famous tracks? Suzuka, built in the 1960s, was designed to offer a wide range of different corners and I think once shared a similar reputation. But many now regard it as one of the best tracks in the world. Maybe in a another 30 years we'll all look on COTA as something special. I think it already is, but that's just me.
That said, I can't think of a 'dozen' other tracks in the US that are (realistically) capable of hosting an F1 race. 5-6 come to mind and after that I'm drawing a blank...
Watkins Glen would be cool, but I doubt the racing would be good, and the track would have to be vastly changed runoff wise because it really isn't appropriate for F1 speeds. Road America would also need a large upgrade. Laguna Sega would be rubbish for an F1 race, as would places like VIR and Road Atlanta. In all honesty I think the best established race circuits in the USA to go would be either Long Beach or Sebring.
I was just talking today with my brother about US tracks to use. FIA has a system for classifying tracks and they fall into different levels. COTA was built with F1 in mind so it's the level required. The others need lots of changes that cost too much money to gain back or they don't want to risk it.
Road America, Watkins Glen, VIR, Road Atlanta, etc. they just need proper updated safety features.
Just to clarify both of these points, out of Road America, Watkins Glen, VIR, Laguna Seca & Sebring, only:
A) Watkins Glen
B) Road Atlanta
C) Sebring
Are FIA certified tracks. All three are tier 2. That does not necessarily mean that changes would need to be made to run-off areas, just that they are not currently certified for F1 use. It could be something as simple as an unsuitable track surface (in the case of Sebring) or lack of garages (in the case of Watkins Glen) or adequate infrastructure facilities (such as Road Atlanta). VIR is not even on the list but that's not necessarily because it doesn't meat the requirements (trust me, it wouldn't) but I believe tracks interested in FIA certification, necessary to host a number of international series, haven't invited the FIA to certify them.
I can tell you that Charlie Whiting himself personally visited Watkins Glen last year after the repaving and his comments were rather eye opening. So much so that he was forced to clarify them and confirm that as far as he knew, Watkins Glen was NOT in line to host an F1 Grand Prix.
http://www.espn.com/f1/story/_/id/14933298/charlie-whiting-watkins-glen-wonderful-circuit-f1
But a snippit...
Charlie Whiting
FIA race director Charlie Whiting says the revamped Watkins Glen would be "an absolutely wonderful circuit" for a future Formula One race.
"I think the track looks marvellous," Whiting said. "I am really, really impressed with the work that has been done. It has been done to a very, very high standard."
So there you go. If it had a row of high quality pit garages, Watkins Glen could host an (F1 -
Edit) race tomorrow. As far as I know, it's current configuration meets all FIA safety guidelines. But the track has been flirting with bankruptcy for years and it's only NASCAR money that keeps it afloat. I really doubt they're going to be building pit garages anytime soon. They probably wouldn't even have enough money to maintain them if somebody came along and built them free of charge.
As others have pointed out, one of the biggest issues with Watkins Glen, AND Road America and VIR is their geographical location. They're all pretty much in the middle of nowhere. At least as far as the FOM was concerned. Maybe now under new management that mindset will change. Road Atlanta is far enough away from metro Atlanta that it's name is suspect. And it's a great track, but have any of you ever been there? Sitting on a mound of red Georgia clay is not likely the kind of image F1 wants.
