F1 IN AMERICA: The curious case of the first United States Grand Prix

It might surprise some to learn that the United States’ current love affair with Formula 1 – with a record three races to be held there in 2023 – is no recent development but more a rekindling of an old flame.

From 1904 industrialist William Kissam Vanderbilt Jr ran Grand Prix-style Vanderbilt Cup races for international teams on Long Island which attracted crowds of 250,000. The racing attraction moved to Savannah with the Grand Prize road races in 1908, 1910 and 1911 which drew international machines, and went thence to Milwaukee in 1912, Santa Monica in 1914 and ‘16, and San Francisco in 1915.

TREMAYNE: Piastri isn’t enjoying stellar results yet, but he’s got the makings of a top F1 driver