Guenther Steiner says three F1 races in United States is ‘still not enough’

Jon Wilde
Guenther Steiner making a point. Red Bull Ring July 2022.

Guenther Steiner making a point during a press conference. Red Bull Ring July 2022.

Guenther Steiner thinks the increase to three Formula 1 races in the United States from the 2023 season is “still not enough”.

The Haas team principal was speaking in the build-up to the US Grand Prix, which is being held at the Circuit of The Americas for the 10th time.

After Miami, that marks the second race of the 2022 campaign in the USA and from next season the tally will rise to three, when the Las Vegas Grand Prix is added to the calendar and takes place in November – with the trips to Mexico and Brazil in between that event and Austin four weeks earlier.

Undoubtedly, F1’s popularity is increasing hand over fist in America, not least due to the success of the Netflix docuseries ‘Drive to Survive’.

It has been suggested in some quarters that even three races in the US may be too many, but Steiner thinks the exact opposite.

“We always have to think the US is a big country and to have three races, it’s still not enough, I believe,” said Steiner during his team’s United States Grand Prix preview.

“There is something for everybody and I think each event has something in particular about it. Two of them have done a good job and I’m sure Las Vegas will do a good job as well.”

Reflecting on thecharacteristics of the three American venues, Steiner elaborated: “I would say COTA is for hardcore fans. They have been here now for 10 years and everybody loves to go there – it’s a great race track, great event and a great city.

“Miami is Miami, we had a lot of people this year, more than a lot, and it’s another great event but it was completely different, like a big festival.

“I don’t know what Las Vegas will be but it will be big as well.”

Haasare, of course, an American team, and so there will be more focus on them, and their drivers Kevin Magnussen and Mick Schumacher, in Austin than would normally be the case elsewhere.

“Formula 1 without Austin is difficult to think about – Austin has become a classic,” added Steiner.

“It’s a lot of work [for us] because there’s a lot of things going on, a lot of events, but it’s all good things going on and good work.

“Especially for our team, being our home race, it’s always great and everybody loves coming to Austin.

“There’s nothing negative about Austin, it’s all positive. Hopefully we can get a good result as well.”

Read more:Why Daniel Ricciardo should be banging on the door for a Haas drive

Guenther Steiner

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