Vettel hails Austin "highlight" as 10-year party beckons

Sam Hall
Sunday 16 October 2022 13:02

Sebastian Vettel has hailed the United States Grand Prix a "highlight of the season" as the Circuit of the Americas prepares to celebrate a decade of hosting F1.

Prior to finding a stable home in the US in Austin, F1 had tried on several occasions to crack the American market only to retreat back to Europe and then Asia.

But the introduction of the purpose-built COTA facility in 2014 provided F1 with a permanent venue in a country that finally started to embrace the sport.

The recent addition of Miami, and with Las Vegas making its debut next year, show the floodgates have now opened.

Despite the influx of American races, however, Vettel believes the original Austin race has managed to retain a non-typical US feel.

"Obviously, I made my debut in Indianapolis five years before that [with BMW], but I think there's been a different vibe in Austin, right from the get-go," said Vettel.

"And it's been really exciting because the whole city was happy to have the race and welcomed us.

"Obviously, the interest across the US has grown in the last couple of years, but Austin has always been exceptional.

"I also feel that Austin isn't your typical America, if such a thing exists. So for us, it's been great to go there right from the start.

"And it's been a highlight of the season for many years now, for 10 years."