Austin is delayed but confidence is key
The construction of the Circuit of the Americas has been delayed. However, the officials are not worried; on the contrary, they are confident that the track will be ready in time for the return of Formula 1 to the United States in mid-November.
Bobby Epstein, one of the financial backers of the Austin Grand Prix, revealed that the construction of the Circuit of the Americas is behind schedule. However, he is not worried because he knows everything will be completed on time; the problem, according to him, is more about the financial overrun this will cause.
«The question is not so much whether the circuit will be completed. It will be finished (on time). The question is rather how much it will cost us to speed up the construction to finish, » Bobby Epstein told the site CultureMap.
The construction had been delayed following the suspension of work at the end of 2011 to request the signing of a contract with Bernie Ecclestone ensuring the United States Grand Prix would be held in Austin. The weather, and more specifically the rain, also had an impact on the construction, which partly explains the delay.
The circuit must be completed 90 days before the Grand Prix date in order to be inspected by the FIA – however, this figure can be variable, as South Korea and India have proven. The Circuit of the Americas must therefore be finished by August 20, and the head of the company responsible for the construction, William McAdoo, is confident that things will go well if the weather is favorable.
« We have no time to lose, and the weather is a factor. We hope for a long and hot summer, which should allow us to accomplish a lot, » McAdoo told the website CultureMap.
However, during the FIA inspection, not all elements of the circuit are checked, and the objective is therefore to complete these priority elements for the inspection. The rest can be done between the inspection and the Grand Prix event.
“We have a number of items that the FIA needs to see completed on time. I am confident that we can provide them with everything they need to inspect the track and give the green light,” added McAdoo.
The United States Grand Prix, which will take place in Austin, also saw the FIA formalize the schedule of the various sessions as well as its distance. The drivers will have to complete 56 laps of the circuit, which measures 5.516 kilometers. The race will take place on November 18, 2012, at 1 PM local time and 8 PM French time.
The schedule for the practice sessions of the 2012 United States Grand Prix in Austin
Friday, November 16, 2012
Free Practice 1: 5 PM – 6:30 PM
Free Practice 2: 9 PM – 10:30 PM
Saturday, November 17, 2012
Free practice 3: 5 PM – 6 PM
Qualifications: 8 PM
Sunday, November 18, 2012
Course: 8 PM
