The American Dream
The famous Star-Spangled Banner has begun waving over Formula One. The revealing of a Grand Prix in Las Vegas has left drivers like Daniel Ricciardo with a smile wider than the Grand Canyon. From the tried and tested Circuit of the Americas in Austin Texas to the new party loving city of Miami, Formula 1 has continued to make its mark in the U.S.A despite fierce motorsport competition which saw organisers having to battle to enter the US Market since the early 1960’s. But more than sixty years of expeditions into the U.S have finally led to Formula 1 breaking into America. Moving into 2023, three races will be held in the U.S with the glitz and glamor of Las Vegas.
The Early Years
From the birth of F1, when middle-aged men risked their lives in cars that rode on ice-skates, to the modern turbo-hybrid era, the sport has always dipped its toes into the American motorsport world. Institutions such as NASCAR and IndyCar had the country wrapped around their fingers. With the marketing of American men driving American cars around American tracks perfected, it left Formula 1 stuck in the mud.
From Phoenix to Detroit, and even an early attempt at a race in Vegas during the early 1980’s, F1 has tried to break into the U.S market. Yet, the races did not bring in big enough crowds to justify the cost of hosting a Grand Prix. Success was found briefly in Long Beach California from 1976-1983 in what became the “Monaco Grand Prix of the United States”; Long Beach showed promise. Legends such as Niki Lauda and Nelson Piquet took victory here. Nevertheless, Chris Pook, the race organizer for the event, decided that the American IndyCar would better use his money, pulling the plug on F1’s short stint in the sun.
F1 tried again in the early 2000’s when Bernie Ecclestone, former CEO of the F1 Group, tried to feed the IndyCar-loving fans in Indianapolis with a new brand of motorsport. Fans may remember the track due to the 2005 tyre controversy, where only six cars entered the race due to safety concerns over Michelin runners. But the first race drew a massive crowd of around 200,000 people, proving the venture a worthy risk. But yet again, F1 failed to make the Indianapolis GP a permanent fixture of the F1 Calendar, ending the Grand Prix in 2007 due to the cost of hosting the race. Whilst short-lived, Indianapolis had a lasting impact on the US fans.
The Second Revolution
F1 finally cemented its presence in the States with the Circuit of the Americas (COTA), which has now been the home of American Grand Prix racing for 10 years. The American fan has now created a bond with the magnificent racing often on display. 2022 attendance of 440,000 surpassed the previous year’s attendance mark of 400,000 highlighting the expeditious growth of F1 in the States. COTA’s executive chairman, Bobby Epstein, explained how Austin won’t “have the celebrity or the glitz and glamor”, but will “keep the focus on the fans and the sport.”
2022 also saw the first ever Miami Grand Prix. Surrounding the Hard Rock Stadium, the venue included a trackside swimming pool and a fake marina filled with million-dollar yachts. Celebrities flocked like sheep to be a part of the show, as did the quarter of a million people, who hoped to get their hands on one of only 80,000 tickets available. With tickets having been re-sold for a princely sum of $2000, the Miami Grand Prix became a prestigious event and a “must see” for any motorsport fan. Formula 1 had begun soaring over the home of the Bald Eagle. They had finally caught the eyes of the American spectators.
Blockbuster Breakthrough
However, this wasn’t the main introduction for many in the U.S. The dramatized blockbuster Netflix docuseries, Drive to Survive, which merged Formula 1 and reality TV together, followed the drivers and teams throughout the season. Now on its fourth season, it has become a flagship series for the sport. According to a Morning Consult survey, People in the states who considered themselves fans of the sport rose 33% in the years DTS was released. Following the first season of the Netflix series, average viewers rose to almost 1,000,000 on channels such as ESPN; 39% higher than the previous race season. Across five different motorsports, including F1 and IndyCar, NASCAR had the smallest percent growth rate in the first 2 years of DTS being released. F1 has Netflix to thank for helping the sport crack America.
The Future is Bright
Looking to the future, the Las Vegas Grand Prix in 2023 is expected to be one of the biggest and best events in world sport. With certain hotels creating weekend packages worth 5 million dollars, it is likely to be an unforgettable Grand Prix. The track will extend down the famous Vegas strip as the cars glisten in the bright lights. The move for more venues in the U.S is supported especially by the new F1 American owners Liberty Media. In fact, there are now more American venues than any other country next year. Las Vegas and F1 will need to make sure they mix a great weekend with fantastic racing, as that is what makes the perfect cocktail for an F1 fan.
It may have taken F1 many years to finally enter the American motorsport world, however, when it did, they took every available opportunity. Not only does F1 now hold a firm position in the USA, but vice versa. America’s position within the sport seems to be the strongest. The venues are the most attractive and likely to receive the most money. Celebrities and influencers won’t go to Monza, they’ll go to Miami. The shift in culture today and modernization is being mirrored in Formula 1’s progression into America. It may be the most important step forward for the sport in a long time.
Bobby Epstein Quote – https://www.sportspromedia.com/news/f1-united-states-grand-prix-2022-record-attendance-cota-new-york-race/?zephr_sso_ott=gSfBpL
Morning Consult Survey Data – https://morningconsult.com/2022/03/15/f1-fandom-netflix/
Feature Image – https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/article.americas-got-talent-but-when-will-we-see-the-countrys-next-f1-star.5DNWYZrrM4bIR3DZTg5TZR.html
Indianapolis Image – https://www.autosport.com/indycar/news/penske-to-assesses-indianapolis-event-options-including-f1-4986179/4986179/
Miami Image – https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/10-things-we-learned-from-the-2022-miami-grand-prix-/10302120/