Texas Motor Speedway hits out over 2019 Austin F1 race/NASCAR clash
Texas Motor Speedway has hit out at Formula 1 after its 2019 calendar created a clash between the circuit's NASCAR Cup series race and the US Grand Prix
The draft F1 calendar revealed the series will visit Austin's Circuit of the Americas on November 3, the same date as Texas's Cup playoff race.
Austin has previously hosted F1 at the end of October, while NASCAR's calendar is famously rigid under the long-term agreement between NASCAR and the leading companies that own the majority of the series circuits.
While the F1 calendar will not be ratified by the World Motor Sport Council until October 12, changes are not expected.
NASCAR's 2019 calendar has been public since April. Texas Motor Speedway president Eddie Gossage hit out at F1 in a statement given to Autosport.
"Shame on Formula 1 for doing this to the fans," it read.
"Fans have recognised this as the NASCAR date on this weekend since its inception long before Circuit of the Americas was built.
"I would think a lot of fans - myself included - would enjoy going to both races.
"Now Formula 1 is making fans choose only one. Yet another bad call by Formula 1 showing their infamous indifference toward the fans."
Door for Austin IndyCar race still open
Earlier this month, Texas Motor Speedway and IndyCar reached a new multi-year agreement, despite the series holding talks with COTA.
The new deal reportedly cost Texas its "radius" clause, which meant a rival race could not be held within a certain distance of the circuit.
That has opened the door to an IndyCar race at Austin, which is believed to be the remaining sticking point before the series confirms its 2019 calendar.
Documents released by the local Austin government on Thursday revealed that COTA is seeking an agreement for an IndyCar race to be run between 2019-23.
The circuit adds it "is in competition to secure the winning bid to host a new IndyCar road race beginning in 2019 and continuing through '23".
It is seeking a resolution that will allow it to apply for funds from the local government's event trust fund for an IndyCar race.
COTA has requested the "conducting [of] economic studies, submitting applications, and submitting any required funding to the Texas Office of the Governor for IndyCar events".
Previous article
New Ferrari CEO Camilleri says no decision yet on Raikkonen for F1 2019
Next article
Williams driver Stroll had seat fitting in 2018 Force India F1 car
About this article
| Series | Formula 1 |
| Author | Tom Errington |
Starting Grid for the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix
F1 Fast Facts: Emilia Romagna Grand Prix
The back-bedroom world-beater that began a new F1 era
The first in a line of world beaters was designed in a back bedroom and then constructed in a shed. STUART CODLING recalls the Tyrrell 001
The clues Hamilton’s F1 contract afterthought gives to his future
The Formula 1 world reacted with surprise when it learned Lewis Hamilton’s long-awaited new Mercedes deal guarantees his presence on the grid only until the end of 2021. Both parties claimed publicly they were happy with the arrangement but, asks MARK GALLAGHER, is there more to it than that?
How a harshly ejected Red Bull star has been hooked by racing again
Driver-turned-DJ Jaime Alguersuari lost his love for motorsport when he was booted out of Formula 1 just as he was starting to polish his rough edges. Having drifted from category to category then turned his back on racing altogether in 2015, he’s come full circle and is planning a return in karts for fun
Why Mercedes isn't confident it's really ahead of Red Bull at Imola
While Mercedes struck back against Red Bull by topping the times at Imola on Friday ahead of the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix, the overall picture remains incredibly close. Despite having a possible edge this weekend, the reigning Formula 1 world champion squad is not taking anything for granted...
What Mercedes must do to keep its F1 title challenge on track
Mercedes may find itself leading the drivers' and constructors' standings after Lewis Hamilton's victory in the Bahrain Grand Prix, but it is well-aware that it came against the odds, with Red Bull clearly ahead on pace. Here's what the Brackley team must do to avoid its crown slipping
Why Tsunoda can become Japan’s greatest F1 talent
While Japan's fever for motor racing is well-documented, the country has yet to produce a Formula 1 superstar – but that could be about to change, says BEN EDWARDS
Why the demise of F1's hypocritical spending habit is cause for celebration
For too long, F1's richest teams have justified being able to spend as much as they want because that's the way they've always conducted their business. STUART CODLING says that's no reason not to kick a bad habit
The double whammy that is defining Vettel’s F1 fate
It's been a tough start to Sebastian Vettel's Aston Martin F1 career, with a lack of pre-season testing mileage followed by an incident-packed Bahrain GP. But two key underlying factors mean a turnaround is not guaranteed
