F1 Returns to USA - COTA - Bring on 2013!!

[prisonermonkeys]

I've found some pictures of construction in Austin.

Grandstand retaining wall:

Work on Pit Building "C":

 

[astrosdude91]

Coming along quite nicely there. I never had doubts they wouldn't finish it in time after they halted production. Surely they'll still have it done well before summer's end.

 

[prisonermonkeys]

As Peter Windsor infamously said in 2009, Europe shuts down over the Christmas-New Year break. America does not. Europeans tend to take two weeks' worth of holidays (don't expect any Formula 1 news from Europe from now until about January 4th), but according to Windsor, Americans only take four days off. Being an American yourself, you're probably in a better position to comment on the veracity of that than I am, though.

 

[Northstar]

Being an American yourself, you're probably in a better position to comment on the veracity of that than I am, though.

The way things are this year with Christmas/New Years being on Sundays most people probably won't get any extra days off. Usually for holidays we just get the day of off if it's not on a weekend, Christmas depends on your line of work as you may get Christmas Eve off but it varies.

 

[prisonermonkeys]

Well, I guess Windsor was right, then. Europe shuts down; America does not. I know he took a barrage of criticism at the time, though I imagine that was because people felt that the extra two weeks would not be enough time to address the (then assumed, though later proven to be correct) issues with USF1.

That said, I'm still pretty sure that construction has always been on target to finish in June, when the race was originally scheduled before being moved back to November. That may have been adjusted with the race being suspended, but I think they'll have some time to play around with it - we won't have a repeat of Korea.

 

[LMSCorvetteGT2]

Really?

NASCAR is a stock car series predominantly run on oval circuits. Formula 1 is an open-wheel series with purpose-built cars that does not race on ovals. Other than the fact that they are both a) racing cars and b) have four wheels, I'm seeing very little in the way of differences between the two. In fact, I cannot think of two racing series that are less alike, with the possible exception of Formula 1 and the WRC.

What does that have to do with the understanding factor? Yes thank you for explaining the obvious schedule/track differences of the racing series and the cars looking different exterior wise. So what were you trying to achieve?

EDIT:

I think for the sake of just not arguing it any further, Outlaw explained it to a degree just fine. I did not see the poster suggest or intend to say that Austin F1 would fail. I have yet to see anyone here do that really and even if it wasn't big the first year, I'm sure the race will gain steam over the years.

 

[Tired Tyres]

Well, I guess Windsor was right, then. Europe shuts down; America does not. I know he took a barrage of criticism at the time, though I imagine that was because people felt that the extra two weeks would not be enough time to address the (then assumed, though later proven to be correct) issues with USF1.

That said, I'm still pretty sure that construction has always been on target to finish in June, when the race was originally scheduled before being moved back to November. That may have been adjusted with the race being suspended, but I think they'll have some time to play around with it - we won't have a repeat of Korea.

I doubt Peter Windsor has ever been right about anything and he is not right about this. Europe does not shut down for two weeks in my experience.

 

[Pupik]

I doubt Peter Windsor has ever been right about anything and he is not right about this. Europe does not shut down for two weeks in my experience.

America essentially shuts down between Christmas Eve and New Years Day. It's not a complete shutdown, but lots of people take their vacations during this time of year, so it's generally unproductive, except for retail and some service-related industries.

Now, if there's a contract for completion by year's-end, with some sort of bonus clause (which is typical in the construction industry), there's obviously some incentive to finish up. Depending on how recent the photos are, it appears they aren't going to be completed by the end of 2011.

 

[prisonermonkeys]

I've been wodnering about how Formula 1 can succeed in America, and I've developed a theory.

I've seen a lot of comments - both here and across the internet - suggesting that Formula 1 will not succeed in America without a successful American driver in the sport. But I think out American friends deserve some credit. A successful driver might be nice, but I think this is selling the American a bit short. I think that giving them a driver who they can support is a much better (and much more realistic) way of doing things.

And for this reason, I think America needs GP2.

This year, GP2 and GP2 Asia were amalgamated into a single series, with GP2 expanding its calendar to include some international races. Sepang, two rounds at Bahrain, and Singapore were chosen. But come 2013, I think the series could expand out to support the Canadian Grand Prix and the Grand Prix of America. If Malaysia and Singapore are within range for GP2 teams, a quick tour of Montreal and New Jersey certainly is.

What GP2 needs to find is a reasonably-talented American driver. It is believed that Alexander Rossi will join Caterham in for the 2012 season, and a few drivers could probably be found in GP3 (ATECH-CRS already has one, Ethan Ringel). An American GP2 race featuring an American driver would given the American public someone to follow from the outset of their career. GP2 has proven to be highly-competitive (they even made Yas Marina look exciting), so an American driver showing their racing prowess there has the potential to capture the public's attention. And, if they follow through to move up to Formula 1, the public will have someone who they can follow for the length of their career. I think this would be cheaper, easier and far more likely to happen than finding someone who simply steps into the car and wins.

 

[Sach]

I like this idea, PM. My reservation is that NASCAR is by and large the most popular racing series in America. The problem is that even it isn't really big, I would say. At least not when competing with other sporting affiliations. But, I think you are onto something with an American driver getting their career started and being followed as they move up in the ranks. I think that can work because of how powerful media advertising can be here. I think that if the right kind of able-bodied donors and interested parties really wanted it to happen that it could take off. Unfortunately, I still think it'll be a long shot to see that actually happen. But we all know that already.

 

[prisonermonkeys]

Well, Rossi's results in GP3 and FR3.5 have been very promising. GP2 is becoming a two-year campaign for most drivers, but I think Rossi could graduate after only a year in the sport. Which does throw out my timetable for an American running in GP2 in an American race, but it does offer some hope.

 

[popcorn]

Does anyone know how much the tickets will be?

 

[astrosdude91]

Probably around $500 for a Sunday main grandstand pass. Just a guess though.

 

[PeterJB]

The full weekend at Silverstone cost me £350 ($550). General admission tickets were something like £50 ($78), but a grandstand seat on race day would probably be double that.

 

[plate88]

Does anyone know how much the tickets will be?

This is what I'm waiting on also. Have friends that live in Austin and trying to plan a trip to visit them and check out the inaugural Austin GP.

 

[Sach]

Same. I might be heading to UT for a doctorate in a couple of years and I already have friends there. It would be a great excuse to get down there and check out the area. 💡

 

[Ardius]

And for this reason, I think America needs GP2.

This year, GP2 and GP2 Asia were amalgamated into a single series, with GP2 expanding its calendar to include some international races. Sepang, two rounds at Bahrain, and Singapore were chosen. But come 2013, I think the series could expand out to support the Canadian Grand Prix and the Grand Prix of America. If Malaysia and Singapore are within range for GP2 teams, a quick tour of Montreal and New Jersey certainly is.

What GP2 needs to find is a reasonably-talented American driver. It is believed that Alexander Rossi will join Caterham in for the 2012 season, and a few drivers could probably be found in GP3 (ATECH-CRS already has one, Ethan Ringel). An American GP2 race featuring an American driver would given the American public someone to follow from the outset of their career. GP2 has proven to be highly-competitive (they even made Yas Marina look exciting), so an American driver showing their racing prowess there has the potential to capture the public's attention. And, if they follow through to move up to Formula 1, the public will have someone who they can follow for the length of their career. I think this would be cheaper, easier and far more likely to happen than finding someone who simply steps into the car and wins.

Barely anyone follows GP2 though due to its generally poor TV timetable (which is more Eurosport's fault for being so unreliable, at least for the UK anyway).
I honestly don't really see much evidence at all that successful drivers in junior categories lead to interest from countries. Its quite the opposite - the vast majority of people only begin to take interest when drivers actually make it to F1. Before that, very few drivers gain much of a fanbase. GP2 is a start for getting perhaps a loyal fanbase for a driver as its an internationally-televised junior formula. But for getting "public attention", its all about F1. This is in part because everyone knows that simply being good in GP2 is no guarantee of making it to F1 and also because the majority take less interest in junior categories.

Seeing as someone needs to be relatively successful in GP2 simply to make it to F1 anyway - I don't really see it as the US needing GP2...simply that a driver needs to make their mark in GP2 before they can even begin to think about gaining attention.

Rossi has got attention due to being (so far) a relatively successful American in a very much European and South American-rich ladder. This doesn't necessarily mean that the general public have gained interest. Simply the more hardcore motorsports fans out there have begun following him.

 

[LMSCorvetteGT2]

Barely anyone follows GP2 though due to its generally poor TV timetable (which is more Eurosport's fault for being so unreliable, at least for the UK anyway).
I honestly don't really see much evidence at all that successful drivers in junior categories lead to interest from countries. Its quite the opposite - the vast majority of people only begin to take interest when drivers actually make it to F1. Before that, very few drivers gain much of a fanbase. GP2 is a start for getting perhaps a loyal fanbase for a driver as its an internationally-televised junior formula. But for getting "public attention", its all about F1. This is in part because everyone knows that simply being good in GP2 is no guarantee of making it to F1 and also because the majority take less interest in junior categories.

Seeing as someone needs to be relatively successful in GP2 simply to make it to F1 anyway - I don't really see it as the US needing GP2...simply that a driver needs to make their mark in GP2 before they can even begin to think about gaining attention.

Rossi has got attention due to being (so far) a relatively successful American in a very much European and South American-rich ladder. This doesn't necessarily mean that the general public have gained interest. Simply the more hardcore motorsports fans out there have begun following him.

Ardius is right, I think the set up PM has described wont work. It's true people want a driver that they can look to and watch them conquer the rest of the world. That is what will lift the spirits of the Americans when watching such an international sport. Hearing your national anthem gives you a sense of pride.

If Rossi does make and is highly successful that may make a whole group of American drivers that want to be like him, I'm sure there already are people in the country that want to be in F1 without watching Rossi race. However, it seems more kids want to drive a nascar instead or race a bike. American F1 will be fine because you have the general fans, but it will boom when and if Rossi makes it to the big leagues.

 

[prisonermonkeys]

I honestly don't really see much evidence at all that successful drivers in junior categories lead to interest from countries. Its quite the opposite - the vast majority of people only begin to take interest when drivers actually make it to F1.

That doesn't mean it's not worth a try.

 

[StockCarRacer]

Will millions of Americans ever watch Formula One?

 

[prisonermonkeys]

Have you not been reading this thread? That's exactly what we've been discussing (in one for or another) for the last thirteen pages.

 

[StockCarRacer]

Have you not been reading this thread? That's exactly what we've been discussing (in one for or another) for the last thirteen pages.

I have been reading this.

 

[prisonermonkeys]

Then why did you ask the question? You asked a question that had been addressed in 259 posts.

 

[Blitz24]

Then why did you ask the question? You asked a question that had been addressed in 259 posts.

Because he didn't read the thread.


Back on topic though. I can't wait to see the full Austin track finally complete.

 

[astrosdude91]

Millions of Americans do watch Formula One.

 

[prisonermonkeys]

More pictures of construction:

They've also started night works (which I don't think we saw with Abu Dhabi, Korea or India):

Apparently work is going to really step up a notch in the New Year; rumour has it that the circuit is about to receive a massive influx of cash.

 

[IceMan PJN]

Millions of Americans do watch Formula One.

I can't seem to find specific figures right now, but the last time I saw a figure for the US it was something like 10 million American F1 fans. I don't know if that was simply how many consider themselves F1 fans or if that was how many actually watch any given F1 race, but this distinction is important. Looking at NASCAR as an illustration to that, NASCAR boasts a fan base of 75 million, but actual viewership per NASCAR race is only about a tenth of that. So, if F1 was viewed by around 10 million Americans per race, that would be more than tune in to NASCAR, but if that's just counting American F1 fans then the actual number of Americans tuning in to any given F1 race is probably smaller.

Either way, that's still a decent audience and still does count as "millions of Americans do watch Formula One", but it's also neglecting to reflect how small that figure is relative to the US population. By this I mean that the US population exceeded 309 million when last I checked, so 10 million out of 309 million would be about 3.2%. Compare this versus F1 viewership in other countries where you might find 20 or 30 million viewers in a country with a much smaller population where F1 viewership gets closer to 40% or 50%. Italy has around 60 million people but 38 million F1 viewers, which is around 63% Italian F1 viewership. 10 million American viewers would still be a lot of people, but as a percentage of our populace it is relatively nonexistent.

 

[hawkeye122]

I think a better idea to get Americans interested in F1 would be to have a larger-name Indy team (I don't pay much attention, so... errrrmm, Penske?) started to try and perhaps even buy out a team like HRT. Its a long shot, but theres probably a more established fan base for Indy, and if a well-known team came out and said "F1 is the way to go" then I think we could see a bit of that audience turn over on Sundays and watch F1.

OR maybe I'm wrong.

 

[Northstar]

10 million is actually an accomplishment when you consider the circumstances. Since 2007 there hasn't been a race here, it's been nearly 20 years since a US driver scored points(Michael Andretti), 25 since the last US team(Haas Lola), and most of the races are on at 7AM central time or earlier. When you take all that into consideration 10 million isn't a shabby number.

Saying that, it will be very interesting to see how Austin does as it's the first time since 1980 there has been a race in the US on a purpose built circuit and not on a road or infield course. It is also close enough that it will probably draw some people up from Mexico as well.

 

[astrosdude91]

I can't seem to find specific figures right now, but the last time I saw a figure for the US it was something like 10 million American F1 fans. I don't know if that was simply how many consider themselves F1 fans or if that was how many actually watch any given F1 race, but this distinction is important. Looking at NASCAR as an illustration to that, NASCAR boasts a fan base of 75 million, but actual viewership per NASCAR race is only about a tenth of that. So, if F1 was viewed by around 10 million Americans per race, that would be more than tune in to NASCAR, but if that's just counting American F1 fans then the actual number of Americans tuning in to any given F1 race is probably smaller.

Either way, that's still a decent audience and still does count as "millions of Americans do watch Formula One", but it's also neglecting to reflect how small that figure is relative to the US population. By this I mean that the US population exceeded 309 million when last I checked, so 10 million out of 309 million would be about 3.2%. Compare this versus F1 viewership in other countries where you might find 20 or 30 million viewers in a country with a much smaller population where F1 viewership gets closer to 40% or 50%. Italy has around 60 million people but 38 million F1 viewers, which is around 63% Italian F1 viewership. 10 million American viewers would still be a lot of people, but as a percentage of our populace it is relatively nonexistent.

I remember Bob Varsha saying the average audience per race on SPEED was about 700k, with the big name races like Monaco and Britain peeking at over a million. And the Canadian GP on Fox getting over two million views most years.

Still 700k-1 million is pretty good numbers considering a lot of homes don't have SPEED.