New York, Las Vegas and Indianapolis were all considered for Formula One’s U.S. return. So why did Austin get picked?
According to event planner and former driver, Tavo Hellmund, the decision was a no-brainer.
“Our facility is going to be within miles of the airport, the hotels, great highway infrastructure,” he said. “It is actually completely logical.”
Geography and technology also topped the list.
“Nothing can compliment [Austin] better than the most technologically advanced sport on the planet,” Hellmund said.
He also cited how the city’s proximity to Houston, Dallas and San Antonio could help attract up to 21 million fans. Proximity to Canada, Central and South America, he said, could bring in even more.
Officials from the Convention and Visitor’s Bureau agreed it’s a fit.
“It really does elevate our presence on the international stage to a new level,” said the bureau’s CEO, Bob Lander. “Not just because it is a sporting event but because it is an international sporting event.”
Others, however, were not so quick to approve. Stefan Wray started a group on Facebook which expresses concern over Formula 1 racing in Austin. About 200 people joined.
“One of the principle concerns I have is with the fact that this has been pushed through with almost no public involvement in the process,” Wray said. “By keeping it so secret and under wraps for so long, it has not allowed for opportunities for people to step forward to say ‘What about this? What about that?’ and address some of these issues.”
People have expressed concern online about everything from the environmental impact to whether roads can handle the traffic.
