COTA wants to change support program for F1: 'MotoGP or races with celebrities'

The support program for the US Grand Prix in Austin should become more interesting in the future. Following the cancellation of the W Series, only two historic championships will be presented this weekend alongside Formula 1 itself. Circuit of the Americas President Bobby Epstein hopes to make the support process more enjoyable for the audience.

Last year, there were 400,000 visitors to the Formula 1 weekend at the Texas circuit, and this year there are expected to be 440,000 fans next to the track. That number could soon rise to half a million people, but after that, Circuit of the Americas will have to take steps to make the support process more enjoyable. The W Series never made it to the US due to financial problems, so there are now only Masters Endurance Legends and Masters Historic races as well as F1.

Creative thinking

Epstein explained his ideas to racer: “It would be good for two or three support championships. It would be great even, and if it can't be Formula 2 or Formula 3, we have to think creatively. I would really like to see a motorcycle race during the Formula 1 weekend. “I think it's going to be a lot of fun and the fans will love it too, so we're looking at that now.” Epstein even suggested holding races with taxis from different American cities: “We have to entertain the public anyway, but I don't want to exclude pure racing fans. We have to find the right product on the track that the public will be satisfied with.” I think there was a “I'm disappointed the W Series didn't come here, but it was on such short notice that we couldn't arrange a replacement.”

MotoGP or celebrity racing

“It doesn't have to be about motorcycles, it can just be something else about motorcycles,” Epstein continued. “If you look back, Formula 1 has had some great celebrity races. This is something we have to take into consideration. It can be really fun. I think Formula 1 attracts a lot of celebrities and something like this hasn't happened for a while. “They are definitely things worth discussing, if Formula 3 or Formula 2 could come, that would probably be better.”

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