Formula 1 United States Grand Prix History
History - Facts - Winners - Schedule - Circuit
In the early days of the Formula One history, Indianapolis 500 was considered the F1 championship event, but those drivers who participated in these races were not as popular as today’s drivers. This event has taken place in several different locations at various times since 1959.
First, it was part of the American Grand Prize and later as a race in the Formula One World Championship. The first F1 American Grand Prix was developed in Sebring track, Florida on December 1959. It was the last race of the season, including 7 American drivers.
The race’s winner was Bruce McLaren in a Cooper. He was the youngest driver that won a Grand Prix up to that time.
The race was moved to the Riverside International raceway track, located in Riverside, California.
Cameron Argetsinger who was the person in charge of the Watkins Glen in New York, where international and important races took place, he was asked to hold the American Grand Prix at the location. The Glen then became the home for the US Grand Prix for the next 20 years to come. It was one of the most famous events of the season. The US Grand Prix was awarded the Grand Prix Driver’s Association recognition in 1965, 1970, and 1972.
After Alan Jones won the race in 1980 for Williams, the end for the Glen was determined because of some financial problems and the inability to give a guarantee that the races would be safe, due to the velocity and stiffer ground effect cars of the era.
Along history the Vegas course was only in schedule for two seasons. Then New York Grand Prix was the best option to replace it in 1983, but this change was never made. In 2000 the United States Grand Prix took place again at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. By this time, it met with the general regulations and procedures of F1 where almost all the races are clockwise.
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