F1 To Return To US In Texas

F1 is set to return to the United States in 2012 at a new track in Austin, Texas after a 5 year absence.

F1 chief Bernie Ecclestone has agreed a deal with race promoters Full Throttle Productions for the Texas state capital of Austin to host the race until 2021.

Ecclestone confirmed that the venue will become the: ‘First time a facility is constructed from the ground up specifically for F1 in the US.’

The last US Grand Prix took place at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Indiana in 2007, and was won by Lewis Hamilton.

The Indianapolis tracks’ eight-year run was ended after Ecclestone failed to agree with the circuit’s executives over new terms.

Ecclestone announced earlier this year his intention to hold another US-based race, and was thought to have contacted various officials about staging it in New York.

However, Austin-based race promoters Full Throttle Productions have secured the race.

The F1 calendar will expand from 19 to 20 races in 2011, however, three races – the Chinese, Japanese and Turkish are not contracted for 2012.