Circuit of the Americas were already having a rough time of things thanks to the horrendous weather at this year’s US Grand Prix which caused havoc with the race weekend, plus the introduction of the hugely popular Mexican Grand Prix which affected ticket sales further.
Now the salt has really been rubbed into COTA’s wounds as the Texas state government has cut it’s contribution to the F1 venue. $25 million per year in 2012, 2013 and 2014 has now become $19.5 million, not good at all.
Circuit chairman Bobby Epstein isn’t even trying to put on a brave face about it all, saying: “To use a technical term, I think we’re screwed.” Ouch.
COTA was only opened in 2012, the year it hosted its first Formula One race and a return of Formula One in America. Now though things could be over before they’ve barely begun with Bernie Ecclestone revealing “It’s going to be difficult to continue the race in Austin.”
Shame, although building a multi-million dollar circuit to host a few F1 races seems to be how the sport is going these days.