By Ben Langley
With the Miami Grand Prix taking place this weekend, the debate over the American influence in F1 ignites once again. Of the 24 races on the calendar, three are staged in the US. This begs the question, how big an influence does America have in F1?
The three races of USA are staged in Miami, Austin and Las Vegas. Not only that, the recent addition of Cadillac makes it two American teams on the grid from 2026. Ford also make their return to the sport as engine supplier for Red Bull and Racing Bulls.
The key motives of this growing American presence is money. Formula 1 brought the city of Miami around $800 million over the two races in 2022 and 2023 as the sport looked to capitalise on the growing American market. Las Vegas returned to the calendar in 2023 and returned revenue of over $1.2 billion and the 2024 race brought in around $934 million.
It is clear what these races bring Formula 1 economically, and it is something the sport is keen to be a part of long into the future. Another growing trend is the number of American sponsors involved in F1. This number has doubled since 2018, with many US sponsors an essential part of Formula 1’s global partners.
Three races in one country may seem a lot, but how about more? Formula 1 CEO Stefan Domenicali has expressed the sport’s desire for more American races to feature on the F1 calendar in the future. Miami Grand Prix President Tyler Epp is concerned with the growing American presence.
Epp said: “We would not be in favour of a fourth race. I am not worried about the detraction from our event but we need to stabilise some of these new races”.
Miami and Las Vegas’s new additions conveys the increase of street tracks on the calendar too. The likelihood is that a fourth US race would be a street track too, with New York and Chicago a strong possibility. If these cities bring the cash which they no doubt can, F1 will be there.
With the United States having the races and the teams, the only lacking area of the stars and stripes is the drivers. Logan Sargeant’s brief spell at Williams continued the trend of American drivers failing to cement themselves on the grid. However, Cadillac are keen to have one American as part of their first driver line-up. A decision to hire a driver based on their nationality may be a controversial one, but team principal Graeme Lowdon said they will sign a driver based on merit, whilst having a keen eye on an American driver.
Lowdon said: “There’s nothing preventing a driver being selected on merit and being American. I think that would be something that a lot of fans would really want to see as well”.
Colton Herta seems the most likely American to be signed up and it may not be too long before this rumour gains traction. If Herta does indeed sign the contract, it cements the fact that America’s influence in F1 is only going to grow. As we look ahead to the future of F1, it may not be too long before we see one or more American drivers racing around another American city.
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