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New Formula 1 United States Grand Prix Track Revealed

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The team responsible for bringing Formula 1 racing back to the United States revealed the track layout for the Formula 1 United States Grand Prix in Austin, Texas. Set to host the race from 2012 to 2021, the natural landscape and elevation of Austin has allowed Tilke GmbH to design a one-of-a-kind track.

“In the modern era of Grand Prix racing, I think this track layout and topography will be very special,” said Tavo Hellmund, Chairman of Formula 1 United States Grand Prix.

“It will have many of the elements of previous ‘classic’ circuits combined with the benefits of FIA-mandated safety for the competitors and spectators alike. Add in the amenities fans have come to expect, like rare, multiple-turn viewing opportunities for added value, and you have an ideal, world-class venue.”

“For the competitors, we’ll have all the ingredients necessary,” Hellmund said. “You’ll see fast turns that require commitment from the drivers and technical turns that will test the engineers from a set-up point of view. We have a good deal of elevation to make it not only scenic but challenging also, and the view of downtown Austin is wonderful as well.”

With a complete length of 3.4 miles, the track combines modern features with details reminiscent of traditional races from the 1960’s. The surrounding landscape will allow for a maximum elevation change of 133 feet, and the strategic combination of over 20 turns should please drivers and fans alike.

Details of the master plan and facilities will be revealed in the coming months.

For more information, visit www.formula1unitedstates.com.

F1 USGP Track Layout in 2D (Click for larger image)

[Source: Formula 1 United States Grand Prix]

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15 Comments

  2. depressing. could you make a track with a worse design? where are the high speed corners, the flowing lines, wheres the soul of the track? the lack of imagination in this track is on par with the other go kart tracks he has penned. i’ll never go.

  3. Matt C,

    Go to the US Formula One site and view the 3-D PDF’s of the track.

    As a driver, this track looks scary fun, with a lot of elevation changes and compounded turns.

    For spectators the elevation changes should provide a wide view of track activity even from the main stands.

    My only concern is the start, it seems that the whole grid won’t clear the last turn before the lead cars cross the start line. I don’t have the advantage of actual measurements to determine this so it could be ok?

    I definitely will be buying tickets to this inaugural race. Additionally, Austin will be a real asset to this event.

  4. I understand what your saying 3Duece27 – for me, this is a “hurry up and wait” track. just too many 2nd gear corners, for lack of a better term. i’m a driver as well – and i love elevation changes as much as the next guy, but i just can’t see a rhythm here or at any other Tilke tracks. With slower cars its a different ball game, but this new “safe” design of the modern era F1 tracks just seems to kill the feel of the sport, and the cars are being desinged to cope with it. i just think that the track can still be safe but have a proper feel. i read elsewhere that during the design of this track “spectator viewing was a top priority for the design”. i don’t think think this is such a good idea either – for the main reason that the racing has to be number 1. The track and the cars have to be ‘the show’, if there is good racing, you and i both know we’ll go anywhere on the track to see it! Will this type of track and the racing it will host really be providing the Vintage Racing History we want for future generations? i’m trying to not to get too dramatic! but the US has some the best race tracks in the world, and i just don’t think the Spectators were on the top of the priority list when they were contructed. i guess its just the way things are going now – maybe thats why i’d rather go to Monterey than Montreal…

  5. OK, we have a circuit that is here and there is always going to be people who love it and people who hate it. I personally want to see how the first year goes before I am going to consider going. This is an F1 event in NASCAR country. Isn’t the stereotypical Tilke circuit where one can see all the cars all the time from the same vantage point similar to a NASCAR track? I don’t see that here. I can see a little bit of Hockenhiem, Laguna Seca, Istanbul, Monza, Fuji, Road Atlanta, Mount Panorama, and Silverstone here. That is cool for me. This circuit may have one of the longest straight line stretches in America. I am up for walking to different turns, but will that be allowed? I don’t want to be confined to a grand stand area if I can get closer. I hope that this event does well. I will be watching.

  6. I agree with Herb on all his points but I must say I will definitly be attending this event. The finish line straight reminds me of Eau Rouge with the uphill only without the slight bend. My fear/concern is exactly what has already been stated. I do not want to buy a ticket to this event and have to stand HERE and nowhere else. I am seasoned road racing fan in this country and enjoy the free reign of the entire facility thats afforded to us with a general admission ticket in most cases. I would like to see that carry over into this event within reason. I by no means am under the disillusion that I will be within an arms reach away from the cars or the drivers or even have access to the paddock. All I want is to be able to drift around the circuit. I would also like to add(mainly for those who may be reading this and have a say in things)golf cart rentals like Mid-Ohio offers for spectators. This makes everything more relaxing and getting around large circuits such as this one much much easier. Also I hope they offer a large campground on-site as well as it adds to the allure of the event. All in all I am very excited about Formula One returning to the USA I just hope we are able to make it last for generations such as tracks like Silverstone. And maybe, just maybe someday host epic events (in my opinion) as the Britcar 24, 24 hours of Spa and of course The 24 Hours Nürburgring. This guy has high hopes(albeit slightly unreasonable)and his fingers crossed for the future of road racing in america and this track will hopefully serve as the catalyst!

  7. ^… All good points.

    This is an action track and Formula One is getting to look a lot like NASCAR these days. Let’s face it, mixing it up with lot of bump and grind sells tickets.

    I’m interessted in how the F-1 cars will will handle corner(s) ‘T-2’, and T-3 through 10, and particularly the set T-16 through 18. I think the slow complicated parts of the track with make for tighter fields and interesting racing.

    You only really know what you do, so competition time will be telling.

    The ability for multiply viewing sites is a must. Without that I probably won’t attend.

    I live within the audible range of ‘PIR’, Portland International Raceway’. This track allows spectating all around the track. Locals have their coveted favorite spots and you see the same groups in the same spots year after year.

    Regarding new tracks check out this new Oregon track and comment.

    http://www.oregonraceway.com/

  8. Herb – what you said hits the nail on the head, it “looks like” parts of all the great tracks. but it IS none of them. and thats the point, there is little originality. Chocolate milk is great, and so is Orange juice, but a vast majority of the population will feel that mixing the 2 will produce a less than acceptable beverage.

    i want F1 in the US – don’t get me wrong, i’d MUCH rather the race came to a traditional circuit like the Glen or Laguna Seca – but Bernie won’t make enough (always #1), the tracks aren’t safe enough (FIA)- and i’m sure there is a list of reasons why that will never happen. F1 brings their own security people, access will be an issue. i went to the Indy F1 race when Bernies F1 Gestapo wouldn’t let a Member of the Hulman family into the grounds without a ticket, so I don’t know about trackside camping – but camping at the track is a HUGE part of racing! Eau Rouge IS the bend.

    Speed, fast cars, high speed passing – thats the attraction, why slow them all down to have a look? the hairpin grandstand USED to be a unique place to watch the cars bunch up and try to pass, but this whole track is a collection of ‘hairpin grandstands’ – i want to HEAR and watch the cars at 200mph, thats the spectacle. Its special at traditional tracks because the cars are out of sight for a small time and you have to be ready to see it again, delayed gratification and all – and then it’s nice to have the option of going to a different place. i just can’t see that happening here, i sincerely hope i’m wrong.

  9. I think the track is indeed a technical one. The date set for the first race in Austin is during the 2012 season, which according to recent press releases from the FIA, just may be the last season of the current formula.

    I think that should the formula change in 2013 to the proposed 1.6 liter turbo four cylinder power plant and a return to ground effects, that techinical circuits like the design above will offer an incredible racing venue.

    I am waiting for the FIA to determine what the formula will be in 2013. If they would decide to go with the proposed turbo/ground effects formula, then back to back trips to Austin may be in order for the 2012 and 2013 events for me.

  10. Apparently the ‘Parts of the great tracks’ is what made them great. I guess we will have to see if that translates too this track.

    Everybody has issues with Bernie and Formula One, and any other organization that has the responsibility to govern humans, and has to tell us how to behave responsibly while mediating our issues with each other.

    While I share with Matt some of his concerns, it seems that he has an agenda in this discussion. Cherry picking sour grapes and anecdotal comments don’t really apply to this new opportunity to bring F-1 to the States.

    This is an North American F-1 enthusiast dream come true. A dedicated race track for F-1 on the continent. For me, the only thing better would be the IRL returning to PIR so I can listen to them qualifying from my patio.

    Ease up Matt, and hope for the best. Anything is better then nothing.

  11. ‘Will Silk’, makes some great points. The adoption of the new formula and this track in combination, could offer some really great racing, challenging any of the great venues in the F-1 world. For drivers and enthusiasts, an experience to look forward too

    As a small bore driver, I tend to look at tracks in that regard. lots of tight close coupled corners followed by a straight for rest and thinking, are my kind of tracks as a driver.

    Drivers tracks aren’t always spectator tracks as Matt notes, but that is usually a result of limited access. Here in the West and NW, we are fortunate to have that combination in abundance, on dedicated race tracks.

    Parking your motor home with an observation deck, at turns 3 & 4 at PIR, you get the best views with the comforts of home, and are able to see the straight and finish line while easily observing all the action on turns ‘1’ through ‘8’. Just doesn’t get any better then that for enthusiasts.

    http://www.portlandraceway.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=25&Itemid=45

  12. Not only would it be wonderful to see turbos and ground effects return to F1, but I’m really hoping that Team Lotus brings back the black and gold livery of 1978. That would be the icing on the cake for me!

  13. Regarding Matt’s concern about speeds,

    After a careful analysis of the physical proportions of the track it came to my attention that the shortest distance between corners or transition points is about 200 – 250 feet. Not exactly close coupled.

    A lot of speed can be carried and developed by these cars in that distance.

    We have to keep in mind that the track is 3.4 miles long, so the distances shown in the supplied graphics are much greater then they appear.

    The rough average distance -exclusive of the straights- between corners or transitions is 433 feet. The distances between corners or transitions, range from 200+ to nearly a 1000 feet. There is a lot of speed between corners on this track.

    The percentage of tight, short coupled turns to the straights and faster sections is roughly 17%, with the remaining 83% of the track, fast to very fast.

    With technical sections, good speed and topography changes, this should be fun track for spectators, and a great track for F1.

    Reg; “Team Lotus brings back the black and gold livery of 1978” Will, your showing your age… col!

    col! ‘chuckling out loud’

  14. sorry i posted my last message a tad premature.

    i don’t have an agenda, i’m passionate about motorsports, its just what i am. I’ve been following F1 all my life and racing anything with an engine since first cognitive reccollection. although completely accustomed to it, i’m turned off by the amount of politicking that surrounds the sport, at a local level as much as a global level. The latter being slightly more entertaining. GP racing in the US is going to be a popular point of contention until F1 can sustain a race. i’ve said it before, i hope like hell this Austin track works, I’m not going because they have changed nothing to make F1 better, they are simply trying it again. i just look at the failed attempts in the past and see nothing ‘structurally’ different this time. a ‘good read’ on this topic is the Roger Penske interview in the the current issue of Motorsport mag (‘the green one’).

    Every track is a technical track, from Martinsville and Talledega, to Interlagos and Spa. i would never imply otherwise.

    Duece – speed is relative: 250ft between corners is just a number until you affix an exit speed and rate of acceleration to it. With a GP car ranking on the top line of both catergories – its going to require alot more input than your car or mine, changing the dynamic of the track completly – we’d probably be flat for 90% of this track, a GP car 20-30% with TC. i’m not picky what track i race on – i’m going to have fun no matter where i point the business end. whether thats’s this track or Gimli. but thats not the point – the ‘Soft’ issues are the point. respecting the track, the drivers and the cars is a part of that, not sure if that has ever existed in the US.

    Will – the Turbo Era in F1 was one of much controversy, not sure what to expect if they bring it back, but i’ll be watching.

  15. @ Matt C

    Great points Matt, and I do recall all the controversy of the Turbo Era that we all witnessed 25 years ago.

    I think much of the controversy centered around the fact that you could run either naturally aspirated 3 liter engines or 1.5 liter turbo engines at that time. I know Ken Tyrrell fought relentlessly to ban the use of turbos in the sport.

    I think this time around it will be different in that everyone will be forced to comply with the same engine formula, rather than be given an option (or loophole). I think the larger question will be in terms of interpreting the rules for aerodynamics, should the FIA allow or even mandate a return to ground effects. We all remember the rear diffuser debacle of last season. I’m sure things like that will be bunching up again in the future, and I suppose that’s the beauty of the sport, because F1 is not a cookie-cutter template formula, but one that still encourages free thought and interpretation in regards to the formula, if a bit more reined in from what it once was.

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