Formula One will return to the United States in 2012 with a 10-year deal for a race in the Texas state capital Austin, commercial supremo Bernie Ecclestone announced on Tuesday.
“For the first time in the history of Formula One in the United States, a world-class facility will be purpose-built to host the event,” the Briton told the official formula1.com website.
The website said Austin, the 15th largest city in the United States, would host the race until 2021.
“We are extremely honoured and proud to reach an agreement with the F1 Commercial Rights Holder,” said Tavo Hellmund, the managing partner of Austin-based race promoters Full Throttle Productions, LP.
“We have been diligently working together for several years to bring this great event to Austin, the State of Texas and back to the United States.”
The United States last hosted a Formula One race at Indianapolis in 2007, a Grand Prix won by McLaren’s Lewis Hamilton.
Since that deal ended, Ecclestone has been seeking an alternative venue with teams, car manufacturers and sponsors all keen to return to one of their biggest markets.
— Reuters