F1 News: Austin authorities release track layout for U.S. Grand Prix 2012
Finally, F1 fans can see it! After a long wait, the layout of the Austin circuit has been released by the organisers and this news has created an air of excitement and contentment amongst American F1 fans. America has waited for a long time to experience the thrill and drama of Formula One cars racing on their soil once again.
After anticipating for a long period of five years, F1 fans in America will witness the acceleration and shrieks of super Formula One cars, racing at the brutal arena of Austin, Texas in the year 2012. Race organisers for United States Grand Prix have finalised the draft layout of new circuit which will embrace a round of Formula One calendar in two year’s time. This happens after a lot of convincing by American crowds to bring the F1 series back to one of its old racing circuits.
The Austin track design exudes sheer hard work and is the creative brain child of the most renowned contemporary track architect and designer, Hermann Tilke. The German designer has also designed some of the major new tracks in world which include the Korean F1 track along with the design for the Indian F1 circuit. The organisers of the race, Full Throttle Productions LP, along with Hermann Tilke have drawn inspiration for this circuit from some of the best circuits around the globe. The designers have taken advantage from the natural topography of the location which has provided some very dramatic elevation changes as well.
The track follows some unique features of other major tracks of the Formula One calendar such as the Silverstone Circuit in Britain, the Istanbul Circuit in Turkey as well as some characteristics of Hockenheim, Germany have also been added to the Austin circuit. As per the initial layout of the location, turns 3 through 6 are similar to the likes of high-speed Maggots/Becketts of Silverstone, while turns 12 through 15 gives the feeling of being in the stadium section of Hockenheim. Turns 16 through 18 are not very dissimilar to turn 8 of the Istanbul Park.
Tavo Hellmund, the man behind bringing Formula 1 racing to Austin, said, “The area has natural elevation differences, which promises a fast track with difficult corners.” He furthermore told, “But the most essential thing is that has to be a masterpiece in its suitability for fans. Spectators have to be able to see large parts of the track from wherever they are.”
Moreover, while discussing the basic layout of the design, Hellmund proclaimed that as motor racing has shaped over the years, the track layout and its topography pays a very important role in appealing people towards a particular Grand Prix.
"It will have many of the elements of previous 'classic' circuits combined with the benefits of FIA-mandated safety for the competitors and spectators alike. Add in the amenities fans have come to expect, like rare, multiple-turn viewing opportunities for added value, and you have an ideal, world-class venue," he added excitedly.
Hellmund is quite confident that the track would soon be the most popular new track amongst drivers and race lovers.
"For the competitors, we'll have all the ingredients necessary," he continued saying, "You'll see fast turns that require commitment from the drivers and technical turns that will test the engineers from a set-up point of view.”
Austin has initially signed a 10-year contract to host the United States Grand Prix which was previously run at the Indianapolis track. So far, the construction work on this new Austin venue has not started.
The anti-clockwise circuit has a total length of 3.4 miles and features a total of 20 turns. The circuit includes a steep uphill run as well that runs into a hairpin which is supposed to become the most important part of the circuit. The total elevation change of the track goes up to 133 feet.
Tags: