McLaren's Lewis Hamilton revels in winning the inaugural grand prix at the Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas, on Sunday.
Number One —
McLaren's Lewis Hamilton revels in winning the inaugural grand prix at the Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas, on Sunday.
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Hamilton's victory means Fernando Alonso (right) can still pip reigning world champion Sebastian Vettel (left) for the title in the final race in Brazil, with one of America's former F1 champs, Mario Andretti, also soaking up the adulation on Sunday.
A podium of champions —
Hamilton's victory means Fernando Alonso (right) can still pip reigning world champion Sebastian Vettel (left) for the title in the final race in Brazil, with one of America's former F1 champs, Mario Andretti, also soaking up the adulation on Sunday.
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At the end of 2011, the scant progress at the Austin circuit was further slowed when construction was temporarily shut down.
Craning the imagination —
At the end of 2011, the scant progress at the Austin circuit was further slowed when construction was temporarily shut down.
theaustingrandprix.com
The prospect of F1 cars flying along at hundreds of miles an hour was hard to imagine during a troubled construction phase.
Contrast this... —
The prospect of F1 cars flying along at hundreds of miles an hour was hard to imagine during a troubled construction phase.
theaustingrandprix.com
But after fittingly fast work, the Austin circuit was given its official seal of approval in September.
... to this —
But after fittingly fast work, the Austin circuit was given its official seal of approval in September.
Circuit of the Americas
The world's top drivers go into the first turn of the Austin circuit, as a tortuous journey to get F1 back to the United States officially ends.
Up and running —
The world's top drivers go into the first turn of the Austin circuit, as a tortuous journey to get F1 back to the United States officially ends.
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F1's hopes of winning over a horde of IndyCar and Nascar fans took a severe dent when just six cars lined up for the start of the 2005 Grand Prix after a row over tire safety.
Tire-some affair —
F1's hopes of winning over a horde of IndyCar and Nascar fans took a severe dent when just six cars lined up for the start of the 2005 Grand Prix after a row over tire safety.
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Supporters were incensed as teams wearing Michelin tires, which had been deemed unsafe after an accident in practice, boycotted the race because of safety concerns.
US 'Gone' Prix —
Supporters were incensed as teams wearing Michelin tires, which had been deemed unsafe after an accident in practice, boycotted the race because of safety concerns.
AFP/Getty Images
Between 1976 and 1983, California staged the Long Beach Grand Prix - before the U.S. race lived something of a nomadic existence.
California speeding —
Between 1976 and 1983, California staged the Long Beach Grand Prix - before the U.S. race lived something of a nomadic existence.
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Despite the disappointment of the 2005 race, American F1 fans were out in force for Sunday's race -- with a near-capacity crowd of 117,429 in attendance.
No hard feelings —
Despite the disappointment of the 2005 race, American F1 fans were out in force for Sunday's race -- with a near-capacity crowd of 117,429 in attendance.
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