Formula One: Tavo Hellmund Talks About 2012 US Grand Prix- Austin, Texas
Formula One racing has not returned to United States since its last race staged on the soil in the year 2007. However, now with the close collaboration of Bernie Ecclestone, the CEO of Formula One Group and Tavo Hellmund, who serves as the managing partner of Full Throttle Productions LP, the F1 cars are ready to flee back to the American soil for its 2012 calendar. The announcement has already thrilled and electrified the race lovers of the region, as well as the Formula one fans all around the globe, who had waited long for the return of the sport to its old rendezvous.
As the preparations of the 2012 season begin on the purpose built track of Austin, Texas, the Formula One official website talked to Tavo Hellmund, asking his opinion about various aspects of the decision and the future plans for the race.
As United States has always been considered one of the most important markets for Formula One racing, Hellmund was asked if he thinks Austin would be able to keep up the repute for which he seemed very optimistic.
He expressed his view saying, “I considered Austin as the ultimate place and I went to Bernie with this idea. Austin has developed immensely over the last 15 years - in every aspect - so for me there was no better place to hold the United States Grand Prix.”
Texas has seen growth immensely in the past years, it is now considered as the 11th biggest global economy, and embraces many of the Fortune 500 companies’ headquarters as well. Austin is its capital; therefore, it was thought to be the most ideal location by FIA, as well as the event organizers of the US Grand Prix.
Hellmund is of the view that the fellow countrymen would be able to reach here easily and also it would be a convenient destiny for the race fans from central and South America, as this lies in center of the region.
Hellmund explained his opinion while saying that, “My philosophy is that you will succeed if you are at the right place at the right time - and for a Grand Prix in Austin, Texas, I considered it to be the right time. We have a contract for the next ten years, but if you ask me we could race here for the next 40 years.”
Moreover, he talked about the great understanding that he has with the Formula One supremo, Bernie, saying that the two had been able to understand the vision and dream of each other very clearly, as he had known Bernie since he was born.
He described this by saying that his father and Bernie had been friends for decades, and he had spent endless summer vacations at Bernie’s home, when he was a child and that has nurtured love and craze for Formula One within him. He further revealed that one way or the other F1 had always been a topic of discussion between his father and Bernie, as they both together struggled for the return of Mexican Grand Prix back in the 80’s. He was happy to proclaim that he had stayed in touch with Bernie over the years and had always been interested in his grand projects.
While commenting on the track of Austin that had been especially designed for Formula One, he said that it was one of the most amazing tracks till date.
It had been designed by Hermann Tilke, the German designer who had designed most of the new tracks and Peter Wahl, who is the most established contemporary racetrack architect.
The area where the track had been embedded has natural elevation differences, which make it a fast track along with some difficult corners.
Well, another two years of anticipation are yet to go before the track could host its first Formula One race.
Tags: