COTA boss unsure of F1's true support for USGP

Circuit of the Americas boss Bobby Epstein has called into question Formula 1's parent company CVC's true support for the US Grand Prix in Austin, Texas.

The American event's future was thrown into doubt after the Texas state government reduced the subsidy it pays to the Circuit of the Americas which hosts the Grand Prix.

To make matters worse, the news broke shortly after COTA officials said the track took a financial bath when storms wiped out much of this year's US Grand Prix weekend.

Indeed, upon publishing its 2016 calendar, the FIA earmarked the American race with an asterisk linked to its conditional status, while FOM has also granted COTA permission to pay its 2015 race fee at a later date given its current financial shortfall.

While Ecclestone believes the American organisers will eventually sort out their affairs and expressed patience in finding a solution which will suit all involved parties, COTA's Bobby Epstein remains insecure on the subject.

Epstein acknowledged that Formula 1 has been a "phenomenal business partner, and they've helped us a couple of times", but the fact that it is owned by CVC is an issue.

"You've got a large investment fund behind it that's trying to get the most money it can," Epstein told the American-Statesman newspaper.

"They want to maximize earnings, and helping the guys in Austin might not be high on their list."

Much to the delight of F1's manufacturers, the US is ramping up its presence in Formula 1 next year with the arrival on the grid of the new Haas F1 Team, and with young hopeful Alexander Rossi still in the frame for a race seat at Manor next season.

Any setback, or demise of the Austin event would not bode well for the country's momentum at the helm of the sport.

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