Categories: CircuitsF1 News, Reports and Race Results

Haas sure another venue would replace Austin

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Gene Haas says the interest in F1 in the United States is big enough to ensure another venue would replace Austin if it dropped off the calendar.

The race at the Circuit of the Americas (COTA) is in doubt after the State of Texas cut funding for the event this year. While it remains on the 2016 calendar, there is asterisk next to the race as it is subject to agreement with the promoter. However, Haas - who says COTA is the "perfect race" - told SBD Global there will be more venues keen to host a grand prix in the future.

"There are plenty of racing venues available," Haas said. "If COTA unfortunately wouldn’t be able to make it, I think that another one would pop up because I think it’s important for Formula One to be in the United States.

"We want to have a U.S. race, and I think Bernie [Ecclestone] understands how important a U.S. race is."

American businessman Tavo Hellmund - who was instrumental in the return of F1 to Austin - has previously confirmed he is working on another North American F1 project, with Ecclestone known to favour a race in California.

There are currently four grands prix held in the Americas at present, with races in Canada, the U.S., Mexico and Brazil.

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Andrew Lewin

Andrew first became a fan of Formula 1 during the time when Michael Schumacher and Damon Hill were stepping into the limelight after the era of Alain Prost, Nigel Mansell and Aryton Senna. He's been addicted ever since, and has been writing about the sport now for nearly a quarter of a century for a number of online news sites. He's also written professionally about GP2 (now Formula 2), GP3, IndyCar, World Rally Championship, MotoGP and NASCAR. In his other professional life, Andrew is a freelance writer, social media consultant, web developer/programmer, and digital specialist in the fields of accessibility, usability, IA, online communities and public sector procurement. He worked for many years in magazine production at Bauer Media, and for over a decade he was part of the digital media team at the UK government's communications department. Born and raised in Essex, Andrew currently lives and works in south-west London.