The Austin F1 circuit was introduced in 2012
After several delays in the construction of the circuit, the Austin track was inaugurated on 21 October 2012 by the 1978 world champion Mario Andretti. This date also announces the return of the Grand Prix of the Americas, absent since 2007. Between 2000 and 2007, the race took place at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Previously, F1 also passed through the Riverside, Sebring, Watkins Glen and Phoenix circuits.
Since 2012, the United States Grand Prix has been held annually in Austin, aside from a hiatus in 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic. For the first race on this track, over 100,000 spectators watched the latest victory of Lewis Hamilton driving a McLaren before his move to Mercedes in 2013. It should also be noted that the Briton finished the race ahead of many other world champions, in order: Sebastian Vettel (2nd), Fernando Alonso (3rd), Jenson Button (5th) and Kimi Raikkonen (6th). A beautiful series “interrupted” by Felipe Massa in 4th place, unlucky vice-world champion in 2008.
Six cars at the start of the 2005 Grand Prix, the shame of F1
As the race took place at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, the starting grid provides a (shockingly) historical picture: only six single-seaters participate in the Grand Prix. A real fiasco that we owe in part to the pneus Michelin. After Ralf Schumacher’s accident during free practice on Friday, the Michelin tires were deemed dangerous. The latter could not withstand the enormous pressure of turn 13, fast and very steep.
After many procrastinations on whether or not to take part in the race, the cars equipped with these tires have finally returned to the pits after the warm-up lap. Only the three teams that opted for Bridgestone tires then it started, in front of the astonished eyes of the furious spectators. If Michelin tires are the cause of this disaster, that’s fine the inertia of F1, the FIA and the lack of agreement between the teams who endorsed this deplorable spectacle, which severely tarnished the image of the sport.
Kimi Räikkönen’s long-awaited victory in 2018
Kimi Raïkkönen is living proof that you should never lose hope in the race for victory. It is on the Austin circuit that the Finn returns to success in 2018, after more than five years and 114 short races. At the wheel of his Ferrari, Kimi Raïkkönen managed to take the lead over poleman Lewis Hamilton at the start, the Briton finishing the race in third position, while Max Verstappen moved up from eighteenth position to finish second. Iceman’s latest victory has arrived 2013 Australian Grand Prix. We let you relive the milestone below.
This success of the Finn also delays the Lewis Hamilton’s fifth world title, who needed to finish the race 8 points clear of Sebastian Vettel to secure his crown. But the German crossed the line behind the Mercedes driver, in fourth position. In any case it will be just a postponement: Lewis Hamilton will be crowned at the next Grand Prix, at the Hermanos Rodriguez racetrack, in Mexico.
GREAT WHO!
After a lapse of five and a half years, Kimi Raikkonen takes another victory in an F1 race!
We hope you enjoyed our latest F1 Rewind, in partnership with @pirellisport 🇮🇹# F1 Rewind# F1pic.twitter.com/1BXpKwTevI
– Formula 1 (@ F1) May 9, 2020
