If promoters have their way, and things go smoothly with the FIA (we all know how likely that is), this is the new course that Formula One drivers will have to negotiate when they get started in the Lone Star state in 2012.
The 3.4-mile F1 USA track has 20 turns, a max elevation change of 133 feet and racers should see a top speed of 200mph. Built on a 900-acre parcel of land, the track is estimated to hold up to 140,000 fans.
The Austin track was designed not only to allow more overtaking, but certain turns or combinations of turns are designed to emulate other courses. 3, 4 and 5 are a nod to the Maggots/Becketts section of Silverstone while 12, 13, 14 and 15 evoke Hockenheimring. 16, 17 and 18 make one big turn that feels like Istanbul's turn 8 promoters say.
No definitive word when ground will be broken, but December is rumored.
( The Statesman thanks to Josh. Got a tip? Send it to Submissions (@) Edmunds.com)
canadaphant says:
02:00 PM, 09/ 1/10
That ridiculous map makes the track look like a roller coaster ride more than an F1 track.
felonious says:
03:32 PM, 09/ 1/10
That. Is. Fawesome.
Turn one is insanely great.
fabiolean says:
03:53 PM, 09/ 1/10
I live in south Texas and I'm ridiculously excited for a the new track!
f1ndler says:
06:15 PM, 09/ 1/10
This looks like a very difficult track. Barrichello will love this track, he likes elevations. The 10th left turn with the downhill has a lot of potential for the drivers to loose grip while coming out of the corner.
It looks very interesting but I doubt the FIA will approve 100% of this track; I'm sure there will be more changes.
eclogite says:
05:44 AM, 09/ 2/10
I live in Austin and I really hope this happens. I'd love to take my 3 sons to see F1 races.
seppoboy says:
07:12 AM, 09/ 2/10
No truly high speed sections and turns such as at Silverstone, Monza, Spa, and the dear, departed Watkins Glen and the Osterreichring, great courses that they were. That's a pity
dagmar3 says:
07:28 AM, 09/ 2/10
I've got a microscope that looks just like that track!
Does it rain much in that area of Texas? I like watching F1 races where all the preparation and testing goes out the window because the clouds open up on Sunday afternoon in Belgium. Who wants to see red Bull and Ferrari dominate all the time? Give me a race where a lucky backmarker switches to rain tires at just the right moment and suddenly runs out front.
tehnighthawk says:
10:37 AM, 09/ 2/10
dagmar3,
Not a ton, but it does happen, and when it does its pretty short lived. There are also some nice hail storms in this area.
What do they do with an F1 track for the other 364 days in the year? Public open track sessions? Please!
omairkhanzada says:
01:01 PM, 09/ 2/10
+1 to public track options.
mallardrider says:
05:56 PM, 09/ 3/10
Looks like an eagle with its wings spread out.