Formula 1 Racing in North America

It is often suggested that Formula 1 can’t make it in North America. I disagree, but also know what it hasn’t so far so let’s take a look at the issues involved.

As much as I hate to admit it, television drives sports. This is problematic in North America because Speed TV does a piss poor job in timing its broadcasts. I am out here on the west coast in San Diego. Races from Asia and Europe are broadcasts at between 2 and 4 am on Sunday morning. Gee, I wonder why ratings stink. Yes, there are those of us that DVR or TIVO the broadcasts, but that doesn’t show up in the ratings, so it really doesn’t matter.


Then there are the tracks. The Canadian Grand Prix this weekend shows the interests of fans. The track has been packed for practice, qualifying and the race. Why? Well, it is a great race. The track provides for a lot of technical skill as well as a lot of places where passing can happen. This has never been the case with the tracks in the U.S.

Let’s consider the most recent track – Indy. While the oval circuit might be legendary, the Formula 1 track was an abomination. Like our Canadian counterparts, we like to see passing and wheel to wheel dueling. The Indy track provided that in one corner – the end of the straight. That was it! It made for boring racing and, as mentioned, was an abomination.

There is much riding on the new track that is going to be built in Austin, Texas. If you know nothing about Austin, let me start by saying it is a great town. The “redneck” factor is low, the music scene is hopping and it is a great place to spend some time. This is good because the town is not exactly known for its love of racing, particularly Formula 1. This is a college football town with the University of Texas Longhorns dominating everything. In short, the race is only going to be a success if people travel to it from other parts of the country or the University of Texas enters a car!



This brings us back to the track. Hermann Tilke has been selected as the track designer. Oh, no. He is one of the worst things to happen to Formula 1 in a very long time. Why? He builds tracks with little passing opportunity on them. Don’t believe me? His last horrific effort was Bahrain. Perhaps you remember the boring first race of this season…the one that nearly had everyone in tears of boredom. That’s a Tilke masterpiece. In his defense, he has also designed better tracks like Sepang in Malaysia, but those are the exceptions in his portfolio of boring tracks.

If Formula 1 wants to excel in the United States, it needs a track that allows for side by side racing and passing. Lots of it. The decision to hire Tilke to do the track suggests that Bernie and the boys just don’t get it. I certainly hope I am wrong.

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