Formula One has wanted to crack the United States of America for almost as long as any one can remember. Under the sport’s previous owners, Bernie Ecclestone touted a race in New York City, but the Jersey shore location failed to inspire the promoters, who of course would prefer a 5th Avenue start finish line and the cars travelling through Central Park during the race.
Now with the US Grand Prix at the Circuit of the America’s, the Miami Grand Prix held outside the iconic Dolphin’s Stadium and next up a race along the Sin City strip it appeared the push for more races in the US was over.
However, behind the scenes executives from FOM (Formula One Management) have been secretly negotiating to host another race in an iconic location where Formula One once held the USGP between 1976 and 1983.
F1 attempts a return to Long Beach
However, from then on the City of Long Beach on the outskirts of LA has hosted the premier US single seater race series throughout its various guises. And in 2014, Bernie Ecclestone made a play to buy the rights to the event and bring Formula One back to Los Angeles which the local authorities considered.
In August 2017, after a study was completed and after lengthy discussions the switch to F1 was rejected and the event was slated to continue on the Indycar calendar.
The rights to the Grand Prix of Long Beach belonged to Gerald Forsythe, who owned half the event with the late Kevin Kalkhoven. Forsythe bought Kalkhoven’s shares earlier this year and reports emerged that both Formula One and Nascar were interested in North America’s longest-running street race.
Unlike Monaco which when set up for Formula One hosts a string of other events including Formula E and F1 historic racing, the city overlords of Long Beach have mandated there can be just one three day racing event held each year in the port city.
F1 rejected in favour of Indycar
Formula One have been negotiating with Forsythe for the rights of what would have become the fourth GrandPrix in the US of A. Yet it appears they have been trumped once again by Indycar as following an announcement form Roger Penske who owns the rights to the racing series this morning.
“We’re incredibly proud to be the new stewards of this cherished and iconic event,” Penske said. “This is the most historic and prestigious street circuit race in North America, and we’re excited to work with Jim Michaelian and his great team in Long Beach to ensure continued success and growth over the long term.
“This race and its loyal fans matter so much to everyone across the IndyCar community, and we’re looking forward to a very special 50th anniversary celebration this April, as well.”
The new deal means Formula One will have to wait until at least 2029 for a return to Long Beach when the current deal with the Long Beach City authority is up for renewal.
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Extraordinary show from the promoters
Had Formula One been successful in acquiring the rights to Long Beach, it would have required another calendar rethink for 2026. With already 24 races on the annual roster, one would have been required to be dropped to make way for the second longest continuous motorsports event held in the USA behind the glitz and glamour of the Indy500.
Having signed a deal with F1 to stage its first US Grand Prix West in 1976, American promoters at Long Beach looked to deliver something spectacular to inspire the meagre fan base in the USA. Their answer was perhaps to promote the greatest historical support race of all time.
On track in this downtrodden harbour area of LA came retired F1 legends such as Stirling Moss, Phil Hill, Juan Manuel Fangio and Jack Brabham together with eight other top flight pilots. The field between them held ten F1 drivers’ title, ten victories in Monaco and an incredible six Le Mans victories amongst the twelve participants.
Whilst originally intended as a mere showcase, with each driver given a different car from F1 history, the calibre of the racers in the field meant nothing less than 100% effort was on display. So limited by reliability issues of the period, only a handful of drivers actually made it to the podium, which was shared by Dan gurney, Jack Brabbham and the legend that is Juan Manuel Fangio who proved he could still compete at the highest level setting the fastest lap in his Mercedes which was 2.3 seconds quicker than the eventual winner of the Grand Prix, Clay Regazzoni who won from pole position ahead of teammate Niki Lauda.
F1’s dramatic goodbye to Long Beach
Formula One’s final appearance eight years later began with disappointment for the McLaren F1 team. A change in the regulations had left the former world champions scrambling to redesign their cars which resulted in a dismal qualifying session. John Watson would start 22nd with his team mate Niki Lauda behind in 23rd place.
The lack of pace in the MP4/1C was soon forgotten as the car proved to be more than a match for the competition come the race. Watson and Lauda carved through the field passing their rivals at a rate of one each lap and come lap 28 just two cars remained ahead of the McLaren pair.
Watson pulled off a sensational pass down the inside of Williams’ Jacque Laffite which handed the British driver the lead, where he would remain until the cheered flag fell. This was Watson’s day to shone as his famed world champion team mate would finish second to Watson, but some 28 seconds back down the road.
This was a rare performance by McLaren that year who claimed just three other podium finishes and their switch late in the season to the TAG badged Porsche engine saw them classified with 5 DNF’s and a DSQ over the final three races of the year.
Watson’s incredible drive from 22nd to take the race win remains an F1 record despite Max Verstappen’s best efforts in treacherous Sao Paulo conditions last time out. The world champion drove from 17th to victory a feat last achieved nineteen years ago by Kimi Raikkonen in Japan.
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Most Formula One fans and pundits alike would like to see the F1 grid with more than just the team teams as it is. Yet in days or yore the sport would often begin weekend with up to 36 cars entering pre qualifying.
In fact at the 1953 German Grand Prix, the starting grid had a record 34 entrants but then again this was held over the 14.167 miles of the Nordschleife where after a lap or two, the cars would be spaced out around the circuit.
The most recent team to join Formula One was Haas back in 2016. The entry process was simple and relatively speedy given F1 was in a difficult period after their latest three new entries from 2010 had all disappeared from the grid… READ MORE
With over 30 years of experience in Formula 1 as an insider journalist, I have built trusted connections across the paddock, from race engineers and mechanics to senior team figures. At The Judge 13, I and a handful of trusted colleagues share exclusive Formula 1 news, expert analysis and behind-the-scenes stories you will not find in mainstream motorsport media.
FOM can pound sand! Coming from an American black balling andretii means FOM can sit and spin!!! Hopefully the new Administration can file anti trust suit against F1 and put them in their place!