Brawn: Fan engagement justifies two F1 races – and maybe more – in US

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Ross Brawn says last weekend's sell-out crowd at the US Grand Prix and fan engagement at COTA "comfortably" justifies having two races – and perhaps more – in America.

An estimated 400,000 attendees converged to the Circuit of the Americas last weekend to watch Formula 1, a massive number that easily surpassed the British Grand Prix and Silverstone's previous 351,000 record attendance in 2019.

The 2021 US Grand Prix will therefore go on record as the biggest race weekend in the history of Formula 1.

"We’re seeing a very strong engagement with American fans now," commented Brawn in his post-race debrief for F1.com.

"For years, F1 was a cult hobby in America but we are now seeing a genuine increase in engagement. Fans know the drivers, they know the personalities, they know the nuances of F1.

"It’s very exciting and I think it demonstrates F1 can comfortably have two races in the USA – and maybe more – because of the passion of the fans we’ve experienced this weekend."

Like the sport's fans, Brawn was enthralled with the action on the track on race day and the fierce battle between F1's two title protagonists, Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton.

"F1’s return to the United States for the first time in two years was an incredibly tense contest all the way through," said the Brition.

"Mercedes varied their strategy, which gave Lewis a tyre advantage over Max and Red Bull at the end – but it was unclear whether it would be enough. As it turned out, it wasn’t.

Read also: F1i's Driver Ratings for the 2021 US Grand Prix

"This was a race to be glued to the screen, studying the gaps and the tyre strategy to see how the race was evolving.

"It was far from certain until the end who would come out on top. Neither Lewis or Max put a foot wrong – and that’s the fantastic thing about this championship.

"We’ve got two drivers who are driving immaculately, and I don’t think I really saw a mistake from either of them, nothing significant anyway.

"And it capped off a sensational weekend with huge sell-out crowds every day, great weather, a great atmosphere and a great vibe about the place."

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.