F1 Returns to the USA - Interview

As part of the lead up to the 2012 season, I wanted to look at the newest date on the calendar, this being Austin, USA. I spoke with Peter Habicht, author of the blog 'F1 in America'. He kindly gave me some of his time to give us a look at what this new date means for F1 fans in America. Here is the interview in full:

First of all thank you for allowing me to ask you some questions. How excited are you to have F1 back in the USA?

"Formula 1 fans in America are very enthusiastic about the upcoming race in Austin later this year, and we're looking forward to experiencing what we've been watching around the world on home soil."

Do you think the American public will take to F1 this time? All over the world it is the pinnacle of motor sport but in the USA it has to fight for supremacy with NASCAR and IndyCar to name just a couple.

"F1 in America can succeed, but it will take a unified approach between Bernie, teams, drivers as well as F1's sponsors and partners to make the most of the opportunity. NASCAR and IndyCar are naturals as far as converting a fan base, but to ensure the sport's longevity, F1 needs to create something different in the US while building a brand following."

Over the past couple of seasons we have seen new races in South Korea and India. The one big news story that seems to precede every new circuit launch is, will it be finished in time? They always are, but there have been some publicly announced contract issues in Austin. Will Austin be finished in time?

"The news from Circuit of The Americas has been good and work's moving ahead full steam. They've been great with photos and updates on their Facebook page, and now there's even a webcam set up to cover the site. I recommend @StatesmanF1's (Twitter feed) coverage of the progress also for another perspective as well and haven't heard of any reason why the track won't be finished in August as announced. India and Korea certainly ran into their own roadblocks to getting ready for race day, but my friends in Austin have said there seems to be a way where there's a will in Texas, and I would add that's especially true when there's plenty of financial and political capital at stake."

With the announcement of a 2nd race for the USA, this time in New York, this must be dream land for US motor sport fans?

"The 2013 race will be taking place in New Jersey, across the Hudson river from the iconic Manhattan skyline, and the location seems to have all the earmarks of a real coup for Bernie and the sport. The construction of this street circuit will be interesting to follow, and the use of public transportation on behalf of a 'green event' is very forward thinking."

Isn't it time we had some North American race drivers in F1?

"The US has been ready for an American behind the wheel of a Formula 1 car, and with two home races for the 2013 calendar there can't be many reasons left why we don't see more than one driver compete on the same stage for a US audience. The effect of having two races here for drivers like Californian Alexander Rossi, who has been preparing for an opportunity like this for most of his career, should be to sustain American driving talent in the sport while giving American F1 fans someone to cheer on at every grand prix."

Are you expecting an exciting race in Austin? What do you think of the circuit design?

"This track will see some of the best racing in North America, and the feeling among the Tilke engineers I spoke to during my last visit was that both the city of Austin and Circuit of The Americas will make for the best fan experience any of them have had a hand in creating. From a driver's perspective, the circuit's layout is a great mix of legendary sections from Silverstone, Hockenheim and Bahrain with plenty of runoff and overtaking opportunity. The 200 mph back straight should be a good spot to listen and the 133 foot elevation change that peaks by turn 1 will make for some of the best views at any current F1 circuit."

Tell us about your website?

'F1 in America' is a blog I started while organizing the longest running and largest community of American F1 fans in San Francisco. After the final USGP in 2007, our group has brought together more US based F1 fans to watch Grand Prix racing together than any other event in the USA. I've met thousands of fans from more than 50 countries at over 120 races, so it was natural that I began to develop a picture of an American audience as well as an understanding of the challenges and opportunities the sport faces. I'm particularly interested in the wave of new ideas that are coming from companies in my backyard here in the social space, and I keep visitors in touch with what I'm reading on my Facebook and twitter pages."

Who will win the championship in 2012? Drivers and constructors

"You know, I get asked if I bet on Formula 1 all the time, and the more it seems that I learn about the sport, the less I feel inclined to predict any given outcome. Your readers may not know this, but it's even difficult to find a sports book that will take an F1 bet in Las Vegas - the home of sports betting! Newey and Vettel have clearly been a force to be measured against at Red Bull, so I'm keeping an eye on how everyone does their first few races this year against them - ask me in a bit when I have a better idea how much the other teams have made up the difference over the winter . . ."

Which team do you follow?

"I'm one to root for an underdog with heart and I've followed Williams since their BMW days - let's see how they do this year!"

Will the number of F1 cars racing in the USA this time reach double figures? (thinking of Indianapolis)

"There are still fans who haven't recovered from that race on Father's Day in 2005 - so let's hope it stays in the double digits. We're all looking toward the future of the sport and I would expect that the same set of circumstances wouldn't ever occur again at any circuit."

This all sounds very promising. I personally am looking forward to F1 going back to the USA. I'd like to take this opportunity to thank Peter for his time and for giving us all an insight into how US Formula One fans are feeling right now.

You can follow Peter's blog by visiting the address http://f1us.co/