Organizers of the United States Grand Prix of Austin have agreed an eight-year contract extension with Formula 1 to host the race until the 2034 season.
The Circuit of the Americas revived the US Grand Prix in 2012 after a four-year hiatus and the challenging 5.5 km road course proved an instant hit with drivers.
Following the rise of F1 in the US in the wake of the success of Netflix’s Drive to Survive, COTA has increased its attendance figures in recent years, with this weekend’s race drawing a capacity crowd of 450,000.
COTA’s current contract was set to expire after next year’s edition, but chairman Bobby Epstein and F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali have now agreed to an eight-year extension, allowing the race to remain a pillar of F1’s American presence through and through 2034.
Speaking to select media, including Motorsport.com, earlier this year, Epstein felt F1 was in a good place in the US, with the three races in Austin, Miami and Las Vegas having made their mark.
We’ve become friendly rivals and each has our own identity,” Epstein said. “Mexico has a big negative impact on us when it comes to these races, it has had no negative impact.
lando norris, mclaren
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I think having Miami in the spring is an opportunity for this game to come to America twice a year, and that’s really good for us. We’re ad for each other and we’re spread out quite a bit.
“The Vegas races could have been stressful in some ways, but it has proven that they attract different audiences. Each of them has proven themselves to be unique enough that they can be self-sustaining.”
COTA has invested in its off-track infrastructure in recent weeks and months, including a new hotel, convention center and a theme park with the so-called Circuit Breaker rollercoaster.
Under the new deal, it is expected to expand its Paddock Club facilities. Meanwhile, the pit garage will also be expanded to accommodate the arrival of F1’s 11th team, Cadillac, in 2026.
