It's been half a decade since F1 raced in the U.S., and now that they're returning, it's going to be on a sweet new track...and for the next 11 years!
The 3.4 mile Circuit of the Americas went from dream to design to display in just under 24 months, and is getting it's cherry popped with the penultimate race of the 2012 season. Several of its features and corners were modeled after the best parts of other circuits, and the physical site was deliberately chosen to give the track an elevation change of 133 feet. The run up to the first turn is similar to Eau Rouge in the Belgian GP (Spa), while a series of sweeping mid-race turns mirrors the layout of the British GP (Silverstone) complex of Maggotts-Becketts-Chapel. and the last sector recalls the German GP (Hockenheim) stadium section. The race will also stand out as running "anticlockwise", like Singapore, Abu Dhabi and Brazil.
If you are wondering how much does it cost to build a circuit, it breaks down as follows (and that's m for million):
Earthworks and infrastructure: $40m - $50m
Track: $50m - $75m
Grandstand: $25m - $30m
Pit Building / Paddock Club: $40m - $50m
Team buildings: $15m
Media / communications center: $15m
Medical center: $3m - $5m
Special Electronics: $25m - $30m
TOTAL: $213m - $270m
You can take a virtual lap on the course, or just wait until the first practice session tomorrow!
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