Moving the inaugural race at the under-construction Circuit of the Americas from summer to fall next year still needs official confirmation by the World Motor Sport Council, but track and city officials here are applauding the idea. Formula 1 commercial rights holder Bernie Ecclestone released a modified version of the 2012 race calendar last weekend at the Hungarian Grand Prix. Races in Bahrain and Austin were the primary rescheduling.
"I have been hoping for a late-season race date since this project began and see this as a very positive sign from Formula 1 that it wants its U.S. event to be an over-the-top success," said Tavo Hellmund, chairman of the United States Grand Prix.
The Texas race was originally scheduled for June 17, at a time when temperatures ranging as high as triple digits were possible.
Austin Mayor Lee Leffingwell, who had voiced environmental concerns, praised the change in a statement.
"The mayor's input regarding central Texas air quality during the summer months was obviously important to Formula 1 management, and to their credit, they listened and have responded," Steve Sexton, president of COTA, said.
The altered race date also gives a little more wiggle room to the ongoing construction project to complete the new facility.
Heat of a different nature — from the political unrest stemming from the Arab Spring series of protests and revolutionary uprisings — led to movement of the Bahrain Grand Prix from the season-opening date to the end of the calendar.
This year's Bahrain race, originally slated to open the campaign, was canceled because of violence in the Mideast kingdom.
The race-governing arm of sanctioning body Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile will meet in the fall. Until it grants approval, all scheduling changes are tentative.
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