Categories: CircuitsF1 News, Reports and Race Results

Watkins Glen a 'wonderful circuit for F1' - Whiting

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F1 race director Charlie Whiting says Watkins Glen would be "an absolutely wonderful circuit for Formula 1 cars to race on".

Whiting was visiting the venue in upstate New York as part of regular FIA inspections of tracks, with Watkins Glen having recently undergone a resurfacing. Speaking to local media after his inspection on Tuesday, Whiting said he would love to see the circuit hosting F1 races again.

"I think it is one of the most charismatic circuits in the US," Whiting said. "There are newer ones like the Circuit of the Americas, but it hasn't got the character that this track has got.

"I think it would be an absolutely wonderful circuit for Formula 1 cars to race on, but we all know [hosting a race] is not quite as simple as that. As far as circuits in the US go, I think this is right up there."

Watkins Glen hosted a grand prix for 20 consecutive years from 1961-1980. Since then F1 races in the United States have been hosted in Phoenix, Indianapolis and most recently in Austin.

Focusing specifically on the resurfacing at Watkins Glen, Whiting said: "I think that the track looks marvellous.

"I am really, really impressed with the work. It has been done to a very, very high standard."

The future of the United States Grand Prix at Circuit of the Americas is expected to be confirmed during a news conference later on Wednesday.

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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.