Haas team boss Guenther Steiner backs Formula 1’s push for a second Grand Prix in America in addition to the current race in Austin.
Capturing the US market has always been a tough ask for F1 amid competition from NASCAR and IndyCar as well as the fiasco that was the 2005 race at Indianapolis.
Since the introduction of the race at the Circuits of the Americas in 2012 and the launch of an American team in Haas in 2016, interest in the sport has risen sharply.
“I think it’s very important for F1 to have a race in the United States. For a long time, until COTA came on the scene, there wasn’t one,” Steiner commented.
“I think the fan base is growing. It’s important for F1, but also for us because it’s our home Grand Prix. We’re all looking forward to it.”
Now with American owners in Liberty Media, plans for a second street event in Miami came to fruition for next season but had to be postponed until 2020 amid opposition from local residents.
Concerns have also been raised that having two US races for the first time since 1983 would negatively impact attendances both at COTA and Miami, but Guenther disagrees.
“It would be fantastic to have a second F1 race in America,” the Austrian declared. “I think we will get there. It takes a little bit of time, but it will happen.
“I think it would accentuate it [the race at COTA]. There are enough fans, we could get attention for two races.
“I think it would add to the presence of F1 in the United States and not take anything away from COTA.”