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Formula 1: 5 possible locations for another American Grand Prix

By Ian Higgins

Patrick Friesacher, Red Bull, Formula 1, Miami Grand Prix (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images for Red Bull)
Patrick Friesacher, Red Bull, Formula 1, Miami Grand Prix (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images for Red Bull) /
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Charlotte Motor Speedway, Formula 1
Charlotte Motor Speedway, NASCAR, Formula 1 (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images) /

Possible F1 venues: No. 4 – Charlotte Motor Speedway Roval (N/A)

This suggestion may possess just a touch of personal bias. The true home of American motorsports, the Carolinas are the birthplace of NASCAR and could present an opportunity to contrast the rich history of Formula 1 with the ancestral roots of the most iconic form of racing in the United States.

Currently a favorite venue of NASCAR, Charlotte Motor Speedway has the required facilities to support a Formula 1 event with additional potential for added seating (current capacity: 95,000).

The Charlotte Motor Speedway Roval is also one of the most well-respected circuits among modern NASCAR facilities as well. To be considered for a Formula 1 race though, the layout would need to receive an initial FIA safety grade and make the given adjustments to achieve the golden 1.0 status.

Given the flexible nature of the Roval circuit, including two removable chicanes and an infield with space to expand run-off, these changes are feasible without hampering the nature of the venue.

The tight walls and sharp changes in camber would offer an unbelievable challenge to drivers during their qualifying runs, as well as righteous camera angles for fans as drivers go side-by-side around the 24-degree banking. If the inconsistencies in road surface are deemed to much for Formula 1 cars, there is hardware and personnel within easy reach to make the necessary adjustments far in advance of the Grand Prix.

Only a 25-minute ride from the track, the city of Charlotte has all of the necessary tourism capacity to support a Formula 1 event, with local attractions such as the NASCAR Hall of Fame as well as a number of other well-documented tourism locations. Who wouldn’t love to see Pierre Gasly and Yuki Tsunoda try their best to survive whitewater rapids at the National Whitewater Center?

The true home of American motorsport and the birthplace of NASCAR, it would be worth at least a moment of consideration for Liberty Media.

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