The Early Days Of F1 In The USA
The first ever United States Grand Prix on the F1 calendar took place in 1959 at the Sebring International Raceway in Florida. This season-ending race was won by Bruce McLaren in a Cooper, taking advantage of a last lap mechanical failure for Jack Brabham. The USGP then moved to Riverside International Raceway in California in 1960, where Stirling Moss drove his Rob Walker Lotus to victory in what was his and the team’s first F1 win. The F1 in the USA wasn’t a popular discipline, until the new era of fans came with Drive to Survive, and popularized F1 in the USA.
Watkins Glen’s Two-Decade Run
Watkins Glen was the home of F1 in the USA from 1961 to 1980. The natural terrain, high speeds, and challenging corners made The Glen a favorite among drivers and teams, and the track was located New York, making it an easy destination for drivers and fans. Jim Clark won 3 out of 4 races there from 1961-1965, while Graham Hill similarly dominated in the BRM from 1963-1965. Hill’s 1964 win clinched that year’s championship.
Other notable winners at Watkins Glen included Jackie Stewart, François Cevert, Emerson Fittipaldi, and James Hunt. Hunt was involved in an intense rivalry with Niki Lauda, and their on-track battles at The Glen in 1975 and 1976 were legendary. Hunt went on to win both races and the 1976 championship after Lauda’s near-fatal crash at the Nürburgring.
The Road to COTA
After Watkins Glen’s contract expired in 1980, F1 struggled to find a permanent US home. Races were held at street circuits in Long Beach, Las Vegas, Detroit, Dallas, and Phoenix, but most were short-lived. Indianapolis Motor Speedway hosted the USGP from 2000-2007, with Michael Schumacher winning 5 of the 8 races held there. This run ultimately ended after a disastrous 2005 race which saw only 6 cars start due to unsafe Michelin tires.
It took until 2012 for a purpose-built facility for F1 to be constructed, when Circuit of the Americas opened outside Austin, Texas. Its rolling terrain and eclectic mix of corners have produced some classics, especially the battles between Lewis Hamilton and Sebastian Vettel. Hamilton dominated the early COTA years, but reigning champion Max Verstappen has since made it his own personal playground. F1 in the USA finally had a new home, and it became one of the most visited venues in the calendar.
During the last couple of years, COTA has been upgraded, resurfaced, and now can handle even 460,000 fans throughout the grand prix weekend. Being a fan favourite for everyone in Texas, the venue also attracts a lot of visitors from Mexico and Latin America.
New Races Bring Action to Miami and Las Vegas
Joining COTA on the calendar were two brand new street races in glamorous US locations. The Miami Grand Prix debuted in 2022 on a track weaving around the Miami Dolphins stadium, while Las Vegas got its first race in 2023 with part of the circuit running along the famous Strip. Of course, the Las Vegas race is held at night, and for visual effects, it’s one of the most appealing night races in F1, as well as one of the racetracks with the highest altitude on the whole calendar.
Both events bring spectacular racing and star power to attract new American audiences. Miami saw a titanic battle between Verstappen and Charles Leclerc, while Las Vegas became a symbol of the Liberty Media growth, and an iconic venue, which held the first Saturday F1 race in many years.
Key Performers Throughout History
F1 in the USA had numerous race winners, but no American has yet won their home grand prix, legends like Mario Andretti and other drivers have carried the hopes of a nation. Internationally, Michael Schumacher and Lewis Hamilton lead the win tally with 5 and 6 wins respectively. Other greats like Graham Hill, Jim Clark, Jackie Stewart, James hunt and Carlos Reutemann.
Ferrari has been the most successful constructor in the US with 10 wins split across the team’s history. McLaren is next best with 8, same as Lotus which clinched all of them during the 1960s and 70s. Of late, Mercedes and Red Bull have been the cars to beat with 5 and 4 wins respectively.
The Future of F1 in The USA
After years of uncertainty, F1’s future in the US now looks brighter than ever. Races in Austin, Miami and Las Vegas provide diverse circuits capable of attracting new audiences. Combine that with Drive to Survive’s popularity boost and American hopefuls like Sargeant coming through the ranks, and the ingredients are there for the sport’s continued growth.
If these races can establish themselves as unmissable, iconic events, there’s a chance more American rounds could be added, and F1 in the USA becomes even more popular than it is now. Talk of a return to Indianapolis or a spectacular new circuit in New York never fully goes away. For now at least, US fans have plenty of world-class F1 action to enjoy on home soil.
Frequently Asked Questions
When was the first F1 race in USA?
The first United States Grand Prix was held in 1959 at Sebring International Raceway in Florida.
How many F1 races were in USA historically?
There have been over 50 Formula One World Championship races held in the USA, under various names like the United States Grand Prix, United States Grand Prix West, Detroit Grand Prix, and others.
How many F1 races are in USA in 2024?
In the 2024 F1 calendar, there are 3 races scheduled to take place in the United States: the United States Grand Prix in Austin, Texas; the Miami Grand Prix in Miami, Florida; and the Las Vegas Grand Prix in Las Vegas, Nevada. The same is scheduled for the 2025 calendar