F1 race director Charlie Whiting says Watkins Glen would be “an absolutely wonderful circuit for Formula 1 cars to race on”.
Whiting was visiting the venue in upstate New York as part of regular FIA inspections of tracks, with Watkins Glen having recently undergone a resurfacing. Speaking to local media after his inspection on Tuesday, Whiting said he would love to see the circuit hosting F1 races again.
“I think it is one of the most charismatic circuits in the US,” Whiting said. “There are newer ones like the Circuit of the Americas, but it hasn’t got the character that this track has got.
“I think it would be an absolutely wonderful circuit for Formula 1 cars to race on, but we all know [hosting a race] is not quite as simple as that. As far as circuits in the US go, I think this is right up there.”
Watkins Glen hosted a grand prix for 20 consecutive years from 1961-1980. Since then F1 races in the United States have been hosted in Phoenix, Indianapolis and most recently in Austin.
Focusing specifically on the resurfacing at Watkins Glen, Whiting said: “I think that the track looks marvellous.
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“I am really, really impressed with the work. It has been done to a very, very high standard.”
The future of the United States Grand Prix at Circuit of the Americas is expected to be confirmed during a news conference later on Wednesday.
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