F1 no longer a "cult hobby" in America - Brawn

Formula 1 managing director motorsport Ross Brawn believes the sellout United States Grand Prix has demonstrated the sport is no longer the "cult hobby" it once was in the country.

F1 has tried for decades to crack the US but finally, things appear to have fallen into place with a spectacular race that took place in front of packed grandstands at the Circuit of the Americas.

"We’re seeing a very strong engagement with American fans now," wrote Brawn in his official F1 column.

"For years, F1 was a cult hobby in America but we are now seeing a genuine increase in engagement. Fans know the drivers, they know the personalities, they know the nuances of F1."

Next year, F1 will race in both Texas and Miami, with a circuit around the Hard Rock Stadium set to make its debut.

A third US race has also been rumoured with Las Vegas linked.

Stoking the rumour-mill, Brawn added: "It’s very exciting and I think it demonstrates F1 can comfortably have two races in the USA, and maybe more, because of the passion of the fans we’ve experienced this weekend."

Shaq adds to F1 party in the USA

COTA boss Bobby Epstein hailed Netflix docu-series Drive to Survive for the rapid rise in popularity of the sport in the country, but appearances from a host of celebrity faces will have also boosted engagements from fans of film, music and other sports.

"There was so much great stuff over the weekend, such as basketball Hall of Famer Shaquille O’Neal arriving at the podium with the trophies in an awesome Longhorn car," wrote Brawn.

"He came and had a chat to me afterwards and it turns out he’s a bit of a petrolhead.

"This was a very American weekend and it was all the better for it. We love races like this.

"It’s fantastic to be so close to a great city like Austin, and great to see 380,000 fans turn up across the weekend and create a cracking atmosphere."

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