This Is Every Track That Formula 1 Has Raced At In The U.S.

This Is Every Track That Formula 1 Has Raced At In The U.S.

After this year, Formula 1 will have raced at 12 different tracks here in the U.S., basically making it the sport’s real home, right?

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A photo of Jacques Laffite, at the 1986 Detroit Grand prix.
Lights out and away we go, but which lights?
Photo: Paul-Henri Cahier (Getty Images)

On this year’s Formula 1 calendar, there are three different races taking place in the United States of America. It marks just the third time a single country has hosted three races in one season following Italy in 2021 and, you guessed it, the Land Of The Free back in 1982.

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The U.S. has hosted Formula 1 races at way more tracks over the years. In fact, by the end of the 2023 season the U.S. will have hosted F1 races at 12 different locations, which is the highest number of different locations any country has hosted grands prix.

After Formula 1’s first two U.S. races this year in Miami and Austin, we thought it was about time we looked back through the history books and celebrated some of the locations that have hosted American F1 races. So, when you’re hosting your Vegas Grand Prix viewing party next month, you can wow your friends with facts about the history of F1 in America.

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Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Indiana

Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Indiana

A photo of a Ferrari at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
Photo: Christopher Lee (Getty Images)

Years Active: 1950-60, 2000-2007
Fastest Lap: 1:10.399 (Rubens Barrichello, 2004)

Formula 1 first started racing in America back in 1950, when the famed Indy 500 event counted in the F1 calendar. Formula 1 returned to Indiana in the 2000s, but its standing in F1 will always be marred by the 2005 event that saw just six cars start the race.

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Sebring International Raceway, Florida

Sebring International Raceway, Florida

A black and white photo of F1 cars at Sebring International Raceway.
Photo: ISC Images & Archives (Getty Images)

Years Active: 1959
Fastest Lap: 3:05.000 (Maurice Trintignant, 1959)

While it might now be known for its endurance racing events, Sebring was actually also the second American circuit to host an F1 race. It did so for just one year, when Cooper driver Bruce McLaren took the win and teammate Maurice Trintignant set the fastest lap.

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Riverside International Raceway, California

Riverside International Raceway, California

A black and white photo of F1 cars at the Riverside International Raceway.
Photo: Bernard Cahier (Getty Images)

Years Active: 1960
Fastest Lap: 1:56.300 (Jack Brabham, 1960)

Another year that Formula 1 hosted multiple races in America was 1960. That year, the sport hosted races at Indianapolis and the Riverside International Raceway in California. Over the course of the 3.28-mile circuit, drivers at the 1960 event took on nine corners over 75 laps.

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Watkins Glen International, New York

Watkins Glen International, New York

A black and white photo of F1 cars racing at Watkins Glen International.
Photo: Bernard Cahier (Getty Images)

Years Active: 1961-1980
Fastest Lap: 1:34:068 (Alan Jones, 1980)

One of the longest-standing circuits in America’s long history with Formula 1 is Watkins Glen in upstate New York. The track, which also hosts Nascar races, first opened in 1956. Over the year’s it’s gone through several layout changes, including with the addition of The Boot in 1971.

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Long Beach Street Circuit, California

Long Beach Street Circuit, California

A photo of Formula 1 cars racing at Long Beach Street Circuit, California.
Photo: Don Morley (Getty Images)

Years Active: 1976-1983
Fastest Lap: 1:19.830 (Nelson Piquet, 1980)

Officially called the United States Grand Prix West, the Long Beach race ran for eight seasons. Over the years, nobody managed to win the race more than once, but drivers including Mario Andretti, Alan Jones and Niki Lauda all won events.

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Caesars Palace Grand Prix Circuit, Nevada

Caesars Palace Grand Prix Circuit, Nevada

A photo of a Formula 1 car on track at the Caesars Palace Grand Prix.
Photo: Bernard Cahier (Getty Images)

Years Active: 1981-1982
Fastest Lap: 1:19.639 (Michele Alboreto, 1982)

Formula 1 first raced in las Vegas back in the 1980s when it set up a circuit in the Caesars Palace parking lot. When F1 last raced there in 1982, it was also the last time F1 hosted three races in the U.S. over a single season.

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Detroit Street Circuit, Michigan

Detroit Street Circuit, Michigan

A photo of F1 cars lining up at the Detroit Street Circuit.
Photo: Paul-Henri Cahier (Getty Images)

Years Active: 1982-1988
Fastest Lap: 1:40.464 (Ayrton Senna, 1987)

As well as holding the fastest lap in Detroit, Brazilian racer Ayrton Senna also holds the record for the most wins in Detroit, with three to his name. Across the 2.5-mile circuit, drivers took on 22 corners.

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Dallas Fair Park, Texas

Dallas Fair Park, Texas

A photo of F1 cars racing at the Dallas Fair Park, Texas.
Photo: Paul-Henri Cahier (Getty Images)

Years Active: 1984
Fastest Lap: 1:45.353 (Niki Lauda, 1985)

For one year and one year only, Formula 1 took to Dallas for a race around the state’s Fair Park, which is usually home to the North Texas Irish Festival. The race was won by Williams racer Keke Rosberg, who finished more than 20 seconds ahead of the pack.

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Phoenix Street Circuit, Arizona

Phoenix Street Circuit, Arizona

A photo of F1 cars on track at the Phoenix Street Circuit.
Photo: Mike Powell/Allsport (Getty Images)

Years Active: 1989-1991
Fastest Lap: 1:26.758 (Jean Alesi, 1991)

While Jean Alesi might hold the lap record around the 2.3-mile circuit, it’s Brazilian driver Ayrton Senna who gets the real bragging rights in Phoenix after wining the U.S. Grand Prix in Phoenix on two occasions.

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Circuit Of The Americas, Texas

Circuit Of The Americas, Texas

A photo of F1 cars on track at the Circuit Of The Americas.
Photo: Chris Graythen (Getty Images)

Years Active: 2012-2019, 2021 - Present
Fastest Lap: 1:36.169 (Charles Leclerc, 2019)

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Some see the Circuit Of The America’s as the place F1 blossomed in the U.S., and it’s easy to see why as it’s turned up some great races in recent years. Heck, COTA even managed to spice up a season that’s been dominated by Max Verstappen.

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Miami International Autodrome, Florida

Miami International Autodrome, Florida

An aerial photo of the Miami International Autodrome.
Photo: Al Bello (Getty Images)

Years Active: 2022 - Present
Fastest Lap: 1:29.708 (Max Verstappen, 2023)

Premiered in 2022, the Miami Grand Prix was billed as a Monaco for America. As such, it’s track is too narrow for much overtaking of note and there’s a marina for millionaires to chill out on their yachts. Except in Miami, it’s full of wood rather than actual seawater.

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Las Vegas Strip Circuit, Nevada

Las Vegas Strip Circuit, Nevada

A photo of the Las Vegas Strip with F1 cars driving on it.
Photo: Clive Mason - Formula 1 (Getty Images)

Years Active: 2023
Fastest Lap: Probably Max Verstappen

Sure, F1 hasn’t raced here just yet, but lights will go out at the new Las Vegas street circuit in just a few weeks’ time. At the race, which will take place under the lights on Saturday night, drivers will contend with 17 corners across the 3.85-mile track.

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Where Next?

Where Next?

A photo of the USA from space covered in question marks.
Photo: NOAA (Getty Images)

That’s a lot of circuits in a lot of states, but where should F1 go next? If you could see a Formula 1 race at any street circuit or on any race track across America, where would you like to see it go?

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Maybe a trip to Laguna Seca could be on the cars one day, or maybe even that genius idea for a Rikers Island Grand Prix could become a reality one day. Let us know in the comments section below where you think F1 should really race in the U.S.

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