The Circuit of the Americas (COTA) in Austin has officially rewritten the history books of Formula 1 in the United States. With the announcement of its newly-inked contract for the United States Grand Prix (US GP) to remain on the calendar through at least the 2034 season, COTA will surpass the legendary Watkins Glen International as the longest-serving F1 venue in the United States.
The milestone is not simply a contractual achievement. It underscores the maturity of COTA’s role in F1’s U.S. strategy and speaks volumes about its ability to deliver world-class racing, draw massive crowds and secure long-term investment. For Austin, for F1 fans and for the sport globally, it’s a statement: the United States is no longer on the periphery of the world championship—it is central.
Since its debut on the F1 calendar in 2012, COTA has steadily grown in stature. The venue has drawn upwards of 430,000 attendees during three-day U.S. GP weekends in recent years. With such numbers, the track has become a marquee stop for teams, drivers and spectators alike. In the official announcement, F1 President and CEO Stefano Domenicali stated:
“Since 2012 the United States Grand Prix has continued to grow in strength and popularity. Each year, the event at the Circuit of the Americas stands out as a true highlight for fans, drivers and teams alike.”
For COTA Chairman Bobby Epstein, the significance was clear: “We’re glad Formula 1 has found a home in Texas, and are grateful to the fans, teams, and the entire F1 community who have consistently supported us and made the United States Grand Prix a favourite stop on the global calendar. With this contract, COTA will overtake Watkins Glen as the longest serving Formula 1 track in the United States.”
The previous record-holder, Watkins Glen, hosted the U.S. Grand Prix from 1961 through 1980, spanning nearly two decades in the original format of the sport’s calendar in America. With COTA set to host through 2034, it will have been part of the Formula 1 world championship for at least 23 seasons, becoming the first American venue to do so in the modern era.
This is the decades-old record referenced in the headline, a benchmark that underscored the tenuous nature of U.S. F1 venues in earlier eras.
The deal ensures a level of permanence and strategic confidence for both parties. For Formula 1, which has pursued aggressive growth in the U.S. market, retaining a firm base at one of the most-popular venues contributes to commercial and fan-engagement continuity.
According to Formula 1’s official data, the economic impact of the U.S. GP in Austin has reached approximately $7 billion in its first decade on the calendar, including more than $1 billion in direct and indirect expenditure in 2023 alone.
Among the factors cited as part of COTA’s appeal are its purpose-built design, its capacity to host large crowds, and the increased emphasis on blending sport, entertainment and hospitality. The track blends world-class racing with performances from global and local music artists and hosts major events off-the-track as part of the U.S. GP weekend experience.
Critically, the announcement comes at a moment of consolidation for F1 in the U.S., which now features three races: in Austin, in Miami and in Las Vegas. Securing the U.S. GP at COTA through 2034 sends a signal that while the calendar is expanding, the championship values long-term relationships with venues that deliver consistent value.
Beyond contract length, the record achievement for COTA resonates because it marks a stabilising moment for F1’s presence in America. During earlier eras, the U.S. Grand Prix shifted venues multiple times—from Watkins Glen to Long Beach, to Indianapolis, to Las Vegas, and so on—underscoring the difficulty of embedding the sport in the American landscape.
With COTA now securing its place well into the 2030s, that chapter may well be closed.