Are F1 at risk of shooting themselves in the foot when it comes to the US?
Ask any long-term Formula 1 fan and they will all tell you the same thing. The sport has exploded in recent years. No longer is a niche subject you may feel embarrassed discussing at parties. It is now one of the biggest sports not only in its European heartland, but across the world.
That was until 2012 when the Austin race first appeared on the calendar. The race at COTA attracted its own unique crowd, almost as a safe place for the US F1 fans who had been forced to hide their passion up until then. The grand prix began to grow in size and interest. In 2012, 117,429 fans packed into the stands to watch the first race, five years later and the attendance figure reached 258,000.
“We’ve noticed a change in the conversation to where you’re not the only guy in the room that follows it,” COTA boss Bobby Epstein told the F1 Nation podcast this week. But in 2023, there has hardly been a whiff. From the first race, it was clear Red Bull were champions elect and following a brief flicker of Sergio Perez being able to challenge Max Verstappen, that was suffocated as was the same with Charles Leclerc in 2022.
The Andretti name is one of the most legendary in US motorsport history. Driving success with Mario including an F1 and IndyCar title became ownership success with titles in IndyCar, CART, Indy Lights and Formula E. 21 drivers will race under the Andretti banner this year. It is one of the most recognisable brands and families in the US, up there with the Earnhardts and Penskes of the world.
If you have ever paid attention to the US’ relationship with sport, you will have noticed they want a home hero perhaps more than any other nation. A British fan would have no problem supporting Ferrari in the same way a French person may look past Alpine and to Red Bull or Mercedes. But in the US, there is a real desire for something that they can call their own.
100,000 are expected to be at the race each day and everyone of them is having to find hotels that are priced within the several thousands. Such was the greed by some of the casinos that the Las Vegas Review Journal reported in September that prices had fallen by 60% in an effort to get rooms filled. And that is just for the accommodation.
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