The Formula 1 spotlight is on Texas this week, but more than one race a year is needed to attract more American fans to F 1.
The United States Grand Prix is coming up this weekend. It’s the one time during the racing year when the sport gets America’s full attention. Although the race will bring more American-based fans to Formula 1, that doesn’t mean the sport is popular here. But things are afoot to possibly make it more so.
Just recently, the city of Miami, Florida, reached an agreement to host a second U.S. Grand Prix event. The race will be run around the Hard Rock Stadium, home of the football Miami Dolphins. But that decision was met with disdain by those who live close to the facility. Local residents have objected to this old-school Las Vegas-style parking lot race, which will make 1000 horsepower sounds and upset everyone.
At issue is whether those protests will hold sway and get the race canceled. If so, it would be the third time that a second U.S. race has been shelved. Weehawken, NJ sought to host a race, which would have given the event a sightline to New York City to the east. Miami stepped in earlier, too, proposing a race that would go around the arena where the Miami Heat plays basketball.
Having a second race run on U.S. soil would do nothing but enhance the F1 profile here. There’s another way, too. America has only one representative among F1 racing teams, Haas F1 (in its fourth season)
But Haas hasn’t performed well and, worse yet, 2019 has been its worst season. Blame it on what you wish–the aero, tires, or anything else–but the bottom line is that things haven’t gone Hass’ way. Now the team is going all-in to build a challenger for 2020.
With one season left on his contract, Kevin Magnussen will likely remain on the team. But the return of Romain Grosjean isn’t a sure thing.
Steiner talks about Hass (photo, Motorsport)
More than anything, this team wants to leave 2019 behind and begin full-bore in its quest for championships next year. Hass GM Guenther Steiner had this to say, part retrospective and part prospective. “The best news is that there are only three races left. In the long run, it is at least positive that we have identified a fundamental aerodynamic problem. With the rule changes for this season, we went in the wrong direction. We didn’t see it clearly enough and went down a road where we can no longer develop the car. We are in a dead-end. We could try to develop as crazily as we want, but with this concept, it’s not going to work.”
Steiner then went on to pinpoint the primary issue. “Mechanically, the car is good. It’s solid. To point fingers, the problem is the aerodynamics. I do not want to point fingers at individuals. I blame the team–and a large part of the blame is for me. I blame myself for not seeing the lack of progress in the updates.”
In addition to getting the aerodynamics right and the drivers set, Hass also needs to locate a new funding partner. The collaboration with Rich Energy went from saga to debacle. But that chapter is now in Hass’ past.
For now, America has one Grand Prix race and a racing team that’s wobbling. With luck, the future will bring a second Grand Prix and a competitive racing team. If so, then Formula 1 has a fighting chance of gaining a stronger foothold here.
There’s hope.
