The return of Formula 1 to the United States

But let’s get up to date. After a five-year hiatus, Formula One made a much-anticipated return to the United States in 2012, with Austin’s Circuit of the Americas, known as COTA providing a new home for the event.

It’s seen a good mix of F1 tradition and the modern delights of the Texan capital city. Inspired by some of grand prix racing’s great venues, the 5.5km circuit features sections that take their cues from Silverstone’s Becketts-Maggots complex, Hockenheim’s stadium section and Istanbul’s long multi-apex Turn 8.

The signature stretch, however, might just be the run from the start-finish line up a steep incline to an almost blind hairpin. Praised by drivers and attended by massive crowds, COTA looks set to be a superb long-term home for F1 in the US.

As for Austin, it’s a really fun and interesting place, with iconic glimpses of Texas, be it a giant pick-up truck burbling at the lights, a bar with a mechanical bull, corals of horses kicking up the dust and chromed caravans selling the city’s famous street food and Texan barbeque and cars with giant bullhorns on the radiator grilles. Above all, Austin lives up to its reputation as the capital of live music and there are bands playing every night somewhere.