AUSTIN (Texas) -- Circuit of the Americas boss Bobby Epstein stated that he would be surprised and disappointed if the circuit didn't renew its U.S. Grand Prix agreement, which expires after this year's event.
The 2022 U.S. Grand Prix was marked with an asterisk beside it. This indicates that the race is subject to a new agreement. F1 boss Stefano Domenicali will be in Austin for the race this Sunday at 1:30 p.m. ET, ABC). Epstein stated that a new contract was a mere formality at this stage.
COTA plans to release 2022 tickets by April. Epstein stated that he is certain everything will be completed by then.
Epstein stated that they would like to conclude the negotiations before tickets go on sale. However, he said that some [2022] tickets will be on sale this weekend.
"I believe it will be done. We'll get there, I am confident. I would be shocked and disappointed if it didn't happen, and I believe [Domenicali] would agree.
COTA has cancelled the 2020 edition due to the pandemic. This year, COTA expects a record crowd, which will surpass the 140,000-person attendance record for the race day. Epstein attributes the increase in interest to the immensely popular Netflix series "Formula 1: Drive to Survive".
"We reached a sellout point in 2019, but we have added capacity since then... let's just say that we added 35,000 capacity. Because the series was not racing in 2020, there wasn't any races in our time zone. So how did Netflix grow its interest?
"It wasn't because they were joining the show on the TV at the end of the day. They were actually streaming the TV shows every day from their homes.
Austin's U.S. Grand Prix remains one of the most highly-regarded venues on the calendar. Ken Murray/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
COTA pulled out all stops to make this event memorable. Epstein acknowledged that budget wasn't a concern last year because of the cancellation.
COTA offers a variety of events throughout the weekend. Fans will be entertained between tracks by Billy Joel, who headlines Saturday night.
Shaquille O’Neal, NBA legend, will be performing at the event under his musical name DJ Diesel. COTA will also host top-ranked Major League Eaters in a World Spam Eating Contest. The circuit also borrowed El Pulpo Mechanico from Burning Man, a famous mechanical octopus which shoots fireballs from its eight tentacles.
Epstein stated that it was important for F1 and Domenicali to see how large the fan base is.
Epstein joked when Epstein was asked how Domenicali would react to Epstein's comments. "I intend to drive [the circuit] around completely!" I plan to drive him around the circuit a lot and then have a conversation about "look what we've done!"
He said, "I think he already understands it." I believe the teams and drivers all have expressed their enjoyment coming here -- this is really satisfying for us -- and I believe we'll get there.
This U.S. Grand Prix will be the last before the Miami Grand Prix debuts next May. Epstein was relieved to see Miami scheduled earlier in the calendar year. This gives COTA a buffer of five months before its own event which is often held in close proximity with the Mexican Grand Prix.
"We were much more concerned about Miami's race five years ago than we are today. It's great to see it spread to other parts of the calendar. I believe it's complementary, and as we can see from ticket sales this past year... many years ago, we wouldn't have been as content as we are today.
"And we could sell a lot more tickets this year than we did."
COTA has experienced ups and downs from its 2012 debut race. Epstein stated that he believes COTA's long-term success is due to its ability to survive and establish the race as a highlight in the F1 schedule.
"The most vulnerable years for new races are three to five years. This is when your long-term fate will be decided. We have some history and tradition now that we think we have gotten over the hump.
"We now have this race the longest -- Watkins Glen ran more races than us, but now we've done it the most -- and it has been 40 years since Watkins Glen. So, I feel that we are on solid ground."
