F1 in the United States | No race for years, three GPs starting in 2023

From Indy 500 to Watkins Glen

The first official race held by Formula 1 in America was the Indianapolis 500. From 1950 through 1960, the Indy 500 was a round on the F1 calendar, but often there were no drivers running that race. Instead of the Indy 500, America looked for a permanent place to host a Grand Prix. In 1959, Sebring was designated once and in 1960 it was Riverside's turn.

Both circuits were on the Formula One calendar only once. In 1961, a suitable venue finally seemed to have been found. Watkins Glen would be a regular fixture on the F1 calendar from that year until 1980. However, the circuit was aging and after 1980 F1 decided not to return to the circuit in the east of the country.

Multiple circuits in the eighties

Despite the fact that the United States Grand Prix disappeared with it, the country still had a race on the calendar. Indeed, the United States Grand Prix West was held annually on the streets of Long Beach from 1976 through 1983. There were also races held in Detroit, Dallas and in a parking lot in Las Vegas. Detroit was on the calendar the longest of these three races, running seven times.

Dallas and Las Vegas were less successful. The Caesars Palace Grand Prix in Las Vegas was run twice, and after a race in horrifically hot Dallas, the F1 circus did not return there either. When Detroit disappeared from the calendar after 1988, Phoenix took over. The United States Grand Prix was held three times in the Arizona city.

Return to Indianapolis and permanent place for Austin

Phoenix also remained on the calendar only briefly and no American race was held in 1992. Fans in America had to wait until the year 2000 for a race on home soil. That year Indianapolis returned to the calendar, but this time not for a race on the oval. In fact, F1 was using the infield circuit that had been built. In total, the race at Indianapolis was on the calendar eight times before it disappeared again.

Since 2012, F1 seems to have finally found a permanent home again. Austin hosts the United States Grand Prix year after year. The Circuit of the Americas is a well-attended track in F1 and Liberty Media does not seem to want to leave Texas.

Expansion of US calendar

Starting in 2022, there will be a second Grand Prix in the United States for the first time in years. Miami will host the race around the Hard Rock Stadium. In 2023, a third American GP will be added in Las Vegas.

Compared to the previous races that F1 has hosted in the U.S., one very big difference now is Liberty Media. Liberty Media has made F1 a product that is very popular among American fans, whereas in previous years it was less so. Americans at the time preferred to watch NASCAR or IndyCar.

F1 becoming more popular in the U.S.

F1 received another boost in popularity in the United States through the Netflix series Drive to Survive. It made Formula 1 more accessible to new fans, many of whom were from America. Austin was stiffly sold out in 2021, and Miami is also expected to have large crowds. So it looks like these two races will stay on the calendar for a long time.

For Las Vegas, it's a little harder to say. The drivers seem enthusiastic and with a circuit that goes over the Last Vegas Strip, it should provide spectacular images. Liberty Media seems to want to make Las Vegas one of the gems of the calendar.

To answer the question of whether the current American races are here to stay, simply look at the contracts. Miami has signed a top contract with Formula 1 and will be on the calendar at least through 2031. The race in Austin will be on the calendar until at least 2026 and Las Vegas will be on the F1 calendar for ten years starting in 2023. So for now, F1 will continue to visit the United States on a regular basis.