Brush up your trivia skills with these facts about America’s top F1 event.
It’s almost time for the US Grand Prix! Whether you’re a long-time Formula One fan or are new to the sport, this iconic race is one of the nation’s most popular and exciting sporting events.
In honor of this year’s event, we’re helping you get ready for the 2021 US Grand Prix with these fun facts!
Want to experience the race in person next year? Be sure to check out our 2022 US Grand Prix travel packages.
1. It’s been held on and off since 1908
The US Grand Prix can trace its roots back to just 22 years after the invention of the modern gas-powered automobile. The American Grand Prize race was first held in Savannah, GA, in 1908 using European Grand Prix rules. In the following years iterations of the race were held in locations across the country including Long Island, NY; Wauwatosa, WI; and Santa Monica and San Francisco, CA. The race was first officially dubbed the Grand Prix in 1959.
2. The Indy 500 once took its place
From 1950 to 1960 there was no US Grand Prix on the F1 circuit. Instead, the Indianapolis 500 – now part of the IndyCar Series – was a round of the F1 World Championship. The US Grand Prix eventually returned to Indianapolis and was held at Indianapolis Motor Speedway from 2000 to 2007.
3. There’s never been an American winner
Over the course of its 49 official races, no American driver has won the US Grand Prix. However, American driver Mario Andretti did win the United States Grand Prix West – which was a F1 World Championship event from 1976 to 1983 – in Long Beach, CA, in 1977.
4. It’s held on a specially-built course
The Circuit of the Americas in Austin, TX, was proposed in 2010 as the first circuit in the United States to be purpose-built for Formula One. Construction was completed in 2012, and the track officially opened on Oct. 21, 2012 with Andretti driving the ceremonial first laps.
5. It runs in an unusual direction
The Circuit of the Americas is one of just five F1 courses in the world to run counterclockwise. The other courses are in Singapore, Korea, Abu Dhabi, and Brazil.
6. 286,000 people attended in 2019
The US Grand Prix was canceled in 2020 due to COVID-19 concerns, but the year before that gathered roughly 286,000 spectators at the Circuit of the Americas over the three-day race weekend. That’s more than three times the number of people that can fit in AT&T Stadium in Arlington, TX, where the Dallas Cowboys play!
If you want to experience this thrilling and time-honored event for yourself, reserve one of our 2022 US Grand Prix travel packages today! These packages include tickets to the Formula 1 Paddock Club, a guided Paddock Club Pit Lane walk, luxury accommodations, and dedicated ground transportation, plus any other customizations you can imagine.
If you have any questions or are ready to book your US Grand Prix travel package, contact our team online or at 608.665.9070 today!
