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Formula 1 racers gave onlookers a show as they arrived in Austin on Saturday. (Red Bull Racing Honda/Twitter)
As the long-awaited United States Grand Prix nears at Austin's Circuit of the Americas, the track seems closer to securing a deal that could keep the race in the city for another decade.
Formula 1 released its provisional 2022 schedule on Oct. 15, and as it has every year since 2012, COTA was included as the Grand Prix's destination. But a subtle asterisk—which says the race is "subject to contract"—shows that another 10-year-deal still hasn't been finalized for the circuit.
COTA has yet to clinch another decade-long contract as its current one ends this year. It's an issue that hasn't gone unnoticed by the circuit's biggest fans and critics alike.
While COTA chair Bobby Epstein has expressed confidence that another contract will be renewed, sources have told Austonia that the contract could be in jeopardy. And new threats—including a Miami track, legislative issues regarding $25 million in taxpayer funding and more—are making the path murky for the United States' first purpose-built F1 venue.
Many believe that the pending contract comes down to track conditions. After MotoGP's first race in the United States for the Red Bull Grand Prix of the Americas on Oct. 3, multiple drivers complained about bumps on the track. Championship leader Fabio Quartararo called the track a "joke" after the race, while others called for the entire track to be resurfaced.
In a Facebook group, fans believe contract issues to be traced back to bumps on the track.
COTA was partially resurfaced in 2019 and 2020 but has failed to resolve certain bumps in the road.
Time's up for more races than just COTA—Italy's Imola track also faced an expired contract but extended its deal to 2025 on Oct. 15. The Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, Singapore Grand Prix and Miami races are also on the preliminary schedule subject to contract. The Miami Grand Prix, set to christen its track on May 8, 2022, is awaiting a finalized contract as well as FIA homologation, which officially gives a track a "license to race."
Losing COTA would be a big loss to Austin and its purpose-built track, but it could also be a big loss to F1. With up to 350,000 expected to come to the weekend-long fest, Epstein promises "the biggest event on the planet this year"—and fans are more excited than ever.
In 2018, Sean Bratches, managing director of F1's commercial operations, told the Associated Press that the organization hopes to stay at COTA "for many years to come." With its inclusion on the 2022 list, perhaps that message still holds true.
The new schedule comes days before the USGP returns to the track after not happening last year due to COVID. The long-awaited event will kick off on Friday and will include performances from Billy Joel, weekend-long entertainment and F1's Hamilton vs. Verstappen rivalry at Sunday's big race.
If the contract is secured, the world will focus on Austin once again for another USGP come October 23, 2022.
COTA did not reply to requests for comment from Austonia.
Enjoying Austonia? Signup for our newsletter to get daily Austin news, straight to your morning inbox!More on F1 here:
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- Formula 1 in Austin: A complete guide to the 'biggest event on the ... ›
- Formula 1 announces Miami Grand Prix, COTA no longer only U.S. ... ›
- Could the US Grand Prix 'F1 be done with Austin's COTA? - austonia ›
- F1 at COTA: Verstappen grabs pole position for Sunday's race at gloomy Grand Prix Qualifiers - austonia ›
- LIVE: It's a Verstappen vs. Hamilton battle at F1's U.S. Grand Prix - austonia ›
- F1 at COTA: Verstappen wins first U.S. Grand Prix! - austonia ›
- Austin's COTA sees biggest race ever as Formula 1 tightens grip on U.S. market - austonia ›
- COTA to add in luxury trackside 'car condos' for racing enthusiasts after successful USGP race - austonia ›
- 2022 U.S. Grand Prix tickets go on sale, but no peep yet from COTA officials - austonia ›
- Oracle buys title rights for F1's Red Bull Racing - austonia ›
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Historic preservationists, for their part, overwhelmingly support historic zoning, which would preserve the buildings in perpetuity. The Historic Landmark Commission unanimously voted to initiate historic zoning in July, citing architectural significance, landscape features and association to historic figures. City staffers recommend historic zoning, calling both structures one-of-a-kind examples of vernacular architecture.
Tarrytown neighbors have also banded together to stop the demolition. Many have written letters, and a few spoke at the meeting. “How could anyone buy this property with the intent of destroying it?” Ila Falvey said. “I think it’s an architectural treasure.”
Michael Whellan, an attorney representing the property owner, said that the claims made by preservationists are shaky. The buildings are run down, he said, and have had substantial renovations. A structural engineer hired by the owner said any attempt at preservation would involve tearing down and rebuilding – an undertaking Whellan said would likely cost millions.
Whellan also argued that any historical significance derived from the property’s association with Delisle and longtime owner C.H. Slator is dubious. “These men are not noted for any civic, philanthropic or historic impact,” he said.
What’s more, according to Whellan, Slator likely participated in segregation as the owner of the Tavern on North Lamar Boulevard between 1953 and 1960.
A city staffer, however, said she found no evidence to support the claim. “We would never landmark a property where a segregationist lived, or there was a racist person,” Kimberly Collins with the Historic Preservation Office said.
Commissioner Awais Azhar couldn’t support historic zoning in part due to lingering uncertainty about Slator. “Focusing on that factor is not here to disparage an individual or family. It is not about playing the race card. This is an important assertion for us to consider as Planning commissioners,” Azhar said.
Commissioner Carmen Llanes Pulido said that allegations of racism should come as no surprise. “We’re talking about white male property owners in the 1950s, in Austin, on the west side – and of course they were racist,” she said. But she argued that allowing the house to be demolished based on these grounds does nothing to help people of color who have been harmed by racism and segregation.
The question of tax breaks was also controversial. Michael Gaudini, representing the property owner, said that the tax breaks associated with historic zoning would exacerbate inequality by shifting property tax burdens to less affluent communities. City staffers estimate that the property, appraised at $3.5 million, would get either a $8,500 or $16,107 property tax break annually, depending on whether a homestead exemption is applied.
Commissioner Grayson Cox preferred the commission focus not on tax breaks but on whether the structures merit preservation. “To me, nothing in the historic preservation criteria lists, is this person deserving of a tax break or not?”
Azhar, on the other hand, said he plans to propose a code amendment getting rid of city property tax breaks for historic properties.
The commission fell one vote short of recommending historic zoning, with six commissioners in support and three opposed. Azhar and commissioners Claire Hempel and Greg Anderson voted against.
The odds of City Council zoning over an owner’s wishes are slim. Nine out of 11 members must vote in favor, and there have only been a handful of such cases over the past several decades.
