Herman Tilke to design American grand prix circuit
German architect Herman Tilke has been put in charge with designing the new circuit in Texas for the American grand prix, which is scheduled for its first race in 2012.
Tilke has been handed the task after previously having designed modern tracks that have been added to the Formula One calendar over the last few years including Istanbul Park (Turkey), Shanghai (China), Bahrain and Abu Dhabi.
On Tuesday Formula One commercial rights holder Bernie Ecclestone confirmed Formula One will return to the United States, and the American grand prix will be staged in the city of Austin, Texas, for the 2012 season.
It will be the first time since 2008 that a Formula One grand prix has been staged in the USA, with Indianapolis hosting the last grand prix. The new circuit will be built from scratch to host a Formula One race.
“For the first time in the history of Formula One in the United States, a world-class facility will be purpose-built to host the event. Indianapolis joined the ranks of host cities in 2000 when they added a road course inside the famed oval. This, however, will be the first time a facility is constructed from the ground up, specifically for Formula One in the US,” said Ecclestone.
This is good news for the United States, but it could be bad news for racing fans that Tilke has been put in charge to design the circuit.
Circuits designed by Tilke have been spectacular to look at, but unfortunately races have been boring to watch, with a lack of overtaking and excitement at these tracks, unless rain appears.
There are, however, some suggestions that the new design will be reminiscent of Spa Francorchamps (Belgium), Silverstone (UK) and Hockenheim (Germany).
If Tilke designs the track like Spa or Silverstone, then the Austin track will be a great addition to the Formula One calendar. If it’s not, then that will be a huge disappointment for Formula One fans.
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