The 2022 U.S. Grand Prix is scheduled for
Oct. 23 and has been on F1′s official calendar without a formal contract. The
track’s original 10-year deal expired with the 2021 race, which drew more than
300,000 fans.
“It says our first decade went really well
and all sides want to see it keep going,” track President Bobby Epstein said of
the new contract. “Everyone seems to be excited about the future ... Our
commitment in building this place was a long-term commitment to the sport.”
The contract also keeps at least two F1
races in the U.S. through 2026. The Miami Grand Prix starts a 10-year race
contract in May. Montreal in June and Mexico City in October round out the
series’ four races in North America.
“There’s more than enough demand and
interest to support a lot more growth of Formula 1 in the U.S. Being the
permanent circuit that is solely dedicated to racing, this will always be the
home of the United States Grand Prix,” Epstein said.
F1 president and chief executive Stefano
Domenicali hailed Austin as well as the growing popularity of the sport in the
U.S.
“Austin is a great city, and the track is a
favorite for all the drivers, and we cannot wait to be back in October for more
action and entertainment,” he said in the announcement.
The track carved out of rolling scrub land
a few miles outside of the Texas capital was the first purpose-built F1 track
in the U.S. The original race contract brought the global series back to the
U.S. after five years away, and the venue quickly established itself as a favorite
among teams and drivers.
Its late-season position on the calendar
also had the Austin race playing a major factor in deciding the season
championship. Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton clinched his 2015 and 2019
championships in Austin.
The Texas race has been supported by more
than $200 million in public funds. State law allows race organizers to apply
from the Texas Major Events Reimbursement Program to help pay F1′s annual
rights fee. That fee was $35 million in 2021, according to state records.
Epstein said he didn’t ask for a 10-year
deal like his original one, but said he believes the Austin track could host F1
for another 25 years.
“This will remain and only get stronger,”
Epstein said. “We have tradition now.”
The track also recently finished a project
to resurface about 70 percent of the 3.4-mile (5.5 kilometers) race course. The
MotoGP motorcycle series has raced the Grand Prix of the Americas there since
2013, but riders have complained for years that bumps in the track caused by
soft soil underneath made it dangerous.
The April 10 race is the last in the
current contract with MotoGP. Epstein said the series likely wouldn’t come back
if the improvements weren’t made, and he’s still in negotiations for a new deal
to keep MotoGP’s only U.S. race.
“We wouldn’t have done the repaving to the
extent that we did if we didn’t think we were going to bring MotoGP back,” he
said. “We’re kind of excited for them to come ride it an enjoy it because it’s
been several years.”