United StatesGrand Prix

The inaugural Formula One World Championship race to be held in the United States came at the Sebring International Raceway in 1959, before moving to the Riverside International Raceway in California in 1960 and finally finding a more permanent home at Watkins Glen from 1961 to 1980. After briefly returning at the Phoenix Street Circuit from 1989 to 1991, the race failed to appear on the calendar until a stint at the legendary Indianapolis Motor Speedway from 2000 to 2007.

Between 1976 and 1988, a variety of other Unites States venues also featured on the Formula One calendar. The Long Beach Grand Prix was the first in 1976, making the United States the first nation since Italy in 1957 to hold two Grands Prix in the same season.

The United States Grand Prix West, as it was called to distinguish from the United States Grand Prix East at Watkins Glen, was held until 1983. The Caesar’s Palace Grand Prix in Las Vegas debuted in 1981 but would only last two years, with 1982 heralding the inaugural Detroit Grand Prix: making three Formula One races in the United States that year. Detroit would last until 1988, while a one-off Dallas Grand Prix was also held in 1984.

The 2012 season saw Formula One racing return to the United States for the first time since 2007 with an all-new venue in Austin, Texas. The Circuit of The Americas (COTA) is the first purpose-built Grand Prix facility in the US and was officially opened on October 21, 2012 by COTA ambassador and 1978 Formula One World Champion, Mario Andretti.