2018 12 Hours of Sebring, photographed by Patrick Smith (CC BY 2.0), via Flickr. (credit links at the end of the content)
The United States has played a surprisingly important role in F1 history, with several circuits hosting World Championship races across different eras. While we have recently focused more on forgotten F1 drivers here on our website, we also wanted to bring back some stories about circuits from the past and those that are still on the calendar. This time, we look at the 11 USA Circuits That Have Hosted F1 Races.
However, not every American circuit enjoyed a long stay on the F1 calendar. Some hosted a single race before disappearing, while others became regular destinations for years before financial difficulties. From the legendary Watkins Glen to the modern Circuit of the Americas, here are 11 USA circuits that have hosted F1 races, including their stories, memorable moments and reasons for leaving the championships.
1. Fair Park – Dallas, Texas (1984)
The Fair Park street circuit in Dallas, Texas, is remembered as one of the most infamous venues in F1 history. It hosted just one race in 1984, but the event became notorious for its extreme weather conditions and deteriorating track surface.
Constructed around the historic State Fairgrounds, the temporary circuit measured approximately 2.42 miles (3.9 KM) and featured a mixture of fast sections and tight corners. But the organizers faced a major problem when temperatures climbed above 100°F (38°C) during race weekend.
The intense heat reportedly caused sections of the asphalt to break apart, creating major problems with the track surface for drivers. Emergency repairs were attempted overnight, but the temporary fixes failed to withstand the conditions, leaving parts of the circuit covered in loose debris.
Despite the difficulties, the race went ahead, producing one of the most physically demanding events of the 1984 season. Only eight of the starters reached the finish, while Nigel Mansell became the defining image of the afternoon. After his Lotus ran out of fuel near the finish, Mansell attempted to push his car across the line.
Fair Park circuit never returned to the F1 calendar.
2. Riverside International Raceway – California (1960)
The Riverside International Raceway in California hosted one F1 race, serving as the venue for the 1960 United States Grand Prix.
Located in Southern California, Riverside was a challenging circuit known for its fast corners, sweeping sections and long straights. Its original layout measured approximately 3.27 miles (5.26 KM).
The 1960 event was particularly important because it brought the World Championship to a close. Stirling Moss delivered an outstanding performance, starting from pole position and taking victory in a privateer Lotus 18, he finished ahead of Innes Ireland and Bruce McLaren.
Meanwhile, Jack Brabham had already secured his second consecutive Drivers’ Championship.
Despite the quality of the racing, Riverside struggled to attract the spectator numbers needed to make the event financially successful. The organizers suffered losses, and F1 never returned.
The circuit continued hosting other motorsport series, becoming an important venue in American racing history. However, Riverside INternational Raceway eventually closed in 1989.
3. Las Vegas Street Circuit – Nevada (1981–1982)
Before F1 became associated with the spectacular lights of the Las Vegas Strip; the championship had already experimented with a very different venue in Nevada.
The Caesars Palace Circuit, sometimes referred to as the original Las Vegas street circuit, hosted two consecutive Untied States GP in 1981 and 1982. Both races served as the season finales.
Rather than using public roads, organizers constructed a temporary 2.27-mile (3.65 km) circuit inside the enormous parking area of the Ceasars Palace hotel.
The layout featured 14 corners, short straights and several repetitive turns. Its counter-clockwise direction also created unusual physical challenges for drivers, because of the strain placed on their necks.
However, in 1981, Nelson Piquet finished fifth, securing his first Drivers’ Championship after a difficult race in which he struggled with the physical demands of the circuit, and one year later, Keke Rosberg finished fifth to become World Champion for Williams.
The unusual setting failed to generate enough commercial success. Poor spectator attendance and financial difficulties eventually forced the organizers to abandon the project. F1 left Caesars Palace after 1982, although the circuit remains an interesting part of F1’s history because of the two world titles decided there.
4. Phoenix Street Circuit – Phoenix, Arizona (1989–1991)
The Phoenix Street Circuit brought F1 to Arizona for three consecutive seasons between 1989 and 1991. It became the venue for the United States GP after the championship departed Detroit.
Constructed around downtown Phoenix, the temporary circuit measured approximately 2.36 miles (3.9 km) and featured numerous right-angle corners, narrow sections and long stretches of contrete barriers.
The original race took place in 1989, when temperatures exceeded 100°F (38°C), the extreme heat created difficult conditions for the drivers and spectators, prompting organizers to move the event from June to March for the following two seasons.
One of the most memorable moments at Phoenix arrived during the 1990 race, Ayrton Senna was leading the race when he encountered the young Jean Alesi, who was making an impressive impression with Tyrrell.
Alesi repeatedly challenged the Brazilian, producing a thrilling wheel-to-wheel battle that became one of the highlights of the season. Senna eventually secured victory, but Alesi’s performance attracted considerable attention. And the 1991 was won by Senna again, completing a successful run for McLaren at the venue.
However, Phoenix struggled to develop a strong following among local spectators, attendance remained disappointing, and the event failed to establish the commercial foundation needed for a long term future, F1 dropped Phoenix after the 1991 season, beginning another lengthy absence from the United States.
5. Las Vegas Strip Circuit – Las Vegas, Nevada (2023–Present)
More than four decades after the Caesars Palace experiment, F1 returned to Las Vegas with a completely different vision.
The Las Vegas Strip Circuit made its F1 debut in 2023, bringing the championship back to the sport.
Unlike the parking lot circuit of the early 1980s, the modern layout uses public roads through the heart of Las Vegas, passing several famous landmarks, including the Sphere, Bellagio and Caesars Palace, now it is one of the most expensive circuit ever built.
Measuring 3.85 miles (6.201 km), the circuit features 17 corners and long straights that allows F1 cars to reach extremely high speeds.
The modern Las Vegas GP represents a major contrast with the Caesars Palace experiment, while the earlier circuit struggled to attract sponsors, the new event was designed as a major international sporting and entertainment attraction.
6. Detroit Street Circuit – Detroit, Michigan (1982–1988)
Detroit is internationally recognized as one of the most important cities in the history of the automobile industry, it hosted F1 for seven seasons in a row between 1982 and 1988.
The Detroit Street Circuit was constructed around the downtown area, close to the Renaissance Center, bringing F1 racing directly into the American automotive capital.
The temporary layout measured approximately 2.5 miles (4.02 km) and was known for its tight corners, bumpy road surfaces and unforgiving concrete barriers. Drivers also had to deal with railway crossings during the circuit’s early years, making it a particularly demanding venue.
The inaugural 1982 event was won by John Watson, who produced an extraordinary recovery from 17th on the starting grid to take victory for McLaren, it remains one of the most impressive comeback performances in F1 history.
Ayrton Senna also enojyed considerable success at the circuit; winning three consecutive Detroit Grand Prix between 1986 and 1988.
However, after the 1988 season, the United States GP moved from Detroit to Phoenix, ending seven years of racing in the city.
7. Long Beach Street Circuit – California (1976–1983)
The Long BEach street Circuit was one of the most successful American venues in F1 history, hosting eight consecutive World Championship races between 1976 and 1983.
Located along the California coastline, the circuit became known as America’s Monaco because of its waterfront setting.
The original track measured approximately 2.02 miles (3.25 km), taking drivers through downtown streets and around the harbor area. With tight corners, short straights and fast sections made it a challenging but popular addition to the calendar.
The first Grand Prix in 1976 was won by Clay Regazzoni, giving Ferrari an important victory on American soil. A year later in 1977, Mario Andretti became the first American driver to win a F1 race in his home country, taking victory in a Lotus 78.
The circuit also witnessed one of the most remarkable performances of the 1980s. In 1983, John Watson won the race after starting from 22nd on the grid, setting a record of the lowest starting position from which a driver had won a Formula 1 race at the time.
Despite its popularity, the financial demands associated with hosting F1 eventually became too great. After the 1983 event, organizers decided to switch to the American open-wheel championship, and Long Beach became an important IndyCar destination.
F1 never returned after 1983, but the circuit continues to host major motorsport events, preserving its reputation as one of America’s most successful street racing venues.
8. Circuit of the Americas – Austin, Texas (2012–Present)
The Circuit of the Americas (COTA) marked a new chapter for F1 in the United States when it hosted its first race in 2012.
Located in Austin, Texas, It became the first purpose-built F1 circuit in the country, ending the championship’s absence from the United States since the 2007 Indianapolis race.
Designed to provide a challenging combination of corners and high-speed sections, the circuit measures 3.426 miles (5.513) and features 20 turns.
One of its most recognizable features in the dramatic uphill approach to Turn 1, drivers climb approximately 133 feet before braking heavily for a blid left-hand corner, creating one of the most distinctive opening sections on the F1 calendar.
Its popularity has also been strengthened by the growth of F1 in the United States, although only one race was cancelled in 2020, COTA has remained regular since its debut.
9. Indianapolis Motor Speedway – Indiana (1950–1960, 2000–2007)
The Indianapolis Motor Speedway occupies a unique positioin in F1 history because it hosted World Championship events across two different periods and track configurations.
Between 1950 and 1960, the Indianapolis 500 was included in the F1 calendar. However, this arrangement was largely separate from the European GP championship, and few regular F1 competitors travelled to the United States to participate.
F1 returned to Indianapolis in 2000, when the venue hosted the United States Grand Prix on a specially constructed race track.
The revised circuit measured approximately 2.605 miles (4.19) and combined sections of the infield road course with the famous banked oval, this created a distinctive circuit that allowed F1 cars to experience one of the most recognizable sections of American motorsport.
Michael Schumacher became the most successful driver during this period, winning five Untied States GP at Indianapolis.
The final race took place in 2007, F1 left the Speedway, which continued to host other major racing categories using different configurations.
10. Watkins Glen International – New York (1961–1980)
, via Wikimedia Commons.
Few American circuits have enjoyed the same reputation among F1 drivers as Watkins Glen. Located in New York’s Finger Lakes region, the circuit hosted 20 consectucutive United States GP between 1961 and 1980.
For two decades, Watkins Glen became the home of the United States GP, attracting some of the greatest drivers and teams in the history.
The original layout of Watkins Glen circuit was approximately 2.3 miles long, but the circuit was extended around 3.377 miles (5.435 km) in 1971 with the addition of the famous Boot section.
The circuit witnessed several important moments in history of F1, Graham Hill and Jim Clark each claimed three victories at Watkins Glen, making them two of the most successful drivers at the venue.
The 1970 United States GP was particularly memorable because of Jochen Rindt’s championship success. He passed away earlier in the season, the points situation meant that he secured the Drivers’ Cahmpionship posthumously, becoming the only driver in F1 history to achieve that distinction.
However, the 1980 Untied States GP was the final F1 race at Watkins Glen. Financial problems led to the circuit entering bankruptcy, ending one of the longest and most successful chapter of American GP racing.
11. Sebring International Raceway – Sebring, Florida (1959)
Although it hosted only one F1 race, Sebring International Raceway deserves a place among the most historically important American circuits.
The Florida venue hosted the 1959 United States GP, marking the first time the official United States GP was held as part of the F1 World Championship.
Measuring approximately 5.2 miles (8.37 km), the circuit was extremely demanding, with a bumpy surface that placed considerable pressure on both drivers and cars.
The 1959 event also served as the season finale, meaning the Drivers’ Championship was still to be decided.
Bruce McLaren took victory for Cooper, claiming his first F1 win at just 22 years old. At the time, he became the youngest race winner in F1 history.
However, the most remarkable moment involved his teammate Jack Brabham. After running out of fuel on the final lap, the Australian pushed his Cooper towards the finish line, eventually crossing in fourth position to secure his first F1 title.
Despite the historical significance of the race, Sebring struggled with poor spectator attendance and financial losses.
The United States GP moved to Riverside in 1960, leaving Sebring with just one appearance on the F1 calendar, and remains one of those circuits that F1 raced once and never again.
The circuit continued to develop its own motorsport identity and became particularly famous for its endurance racing, including the prestigious 12 Hours of Sebring.
FEATURED IMAGE of SEBRING CREDITS: 2018 12 Hours of Sebring, photographed by Patrick Smith (CC BY 2.0), via Flickr.
