The U.S. has hosted Formula One races 51 times over 52 years in the sport’s 60-year existence, including a 20-year run at Watkins Glen International and eight years each in Long Beach and Indiana­pol­is. At its height in 1982, there were three U.S. events on the calendar. If the Austin plan comes to fruition, it would be the second Grand Prix in Texas, after a one-year stop in Dallas (1984). While there has not been a U.S. date since 2007, both the Indiana­polis Brickyard and the Monticello Motor Club were negotiating to become the new hosts when Austin was unexpectedly selected.

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