The boss of the US Grand Prix is set to host two races in 2021 to fill the void left by the cancellation of the Singapore Grand Prix at the request of Formula One.
The Austin Circuit of the Americas (COTA) is set to host the event on October 24 this year.
That month was due for two races in Asia but Singapore has canceled its 3 October event, while the status of the 10 October Japanese Grand Prix remains uncertain, with race organizers taking a call after the Summer Olympics. Ready in Tokyo.
This prompted talk of COTA, a permanent race facility that made its F1 debut in 2012, doubling down to pad the blanks in the calendar. Last year's US Grand Prix was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, with the circuit losing an estimated 95 percent of revenue during this period.
Circuit boss Bobby Epstein said it is easier to do two races over two weekends if F1 decides it is the best course of action.
"As long as I put the possible words in front of it, we're good," Epstein told ESPN. "'A second race is possible in Austin' - I read it and thought, well that's true.
"A second race in Austin is a complete deal - it's not true.
"But it's easy to overturn it if they decide they want and need it and it's the best decision for the sport, they can make that decision and we are there for that."
Epstein pointed out that, as a permanent circuit, running a second race would not be a logistical challenge.
“The fact that we are a permanent race track is easy.
"Then the question is when you take it from a race to an event. Now you have to tell me what you want in that event, so I can tell you what I can do."
“We have thousands of people who work at these events, people who do concession work, direct traffic, clean up, set up, whatever. What we know is the demand here, something in the game in its popularity. Thanks for the great growth, there will be demand and it can be pulled".
The Indianapolis Motor Speedway (IMS), which has not hosted an F1 race since 2007, has been earmarked as another possible venue for a stand-in 2021 race. However, a Circuit spokesperson told Racer Magazine earlier this month that discussions about this possibility have not begun.
Epstein said he would have no problem with the IMS hosting a second US race, even if it fell a week before or after his event.
"If that's what's best for them, that's what we want. It's easy, so they won't have to hire twice."
"We don't have the risk of frost or freezing in Austin in October, it's easy in Austin. But if the numbers look better for F1 as a shareholder, they should be doing what they can for the sport in the long term and the short term." Best for. Period."