Formula 1 in Austin

This should be old news to everyone…well, unless you don’t follow racing and I mean real racing, not red-necks driving in circles.

Formula 1 is coming to Austin, Texas in 2012.

You can learn more here.

I first got in to Formula 1 during my High School years when I was reading Road & Track. Mario Andretti was racing Formula 1 in those days, in the beautiful black & gold JPS Lotus. I thought it was the world’s most beautiful race car and I still do. When you combine that beautiful car, a successful Formula 1 team, with an American Driver and you have a scenario to grab the heart of a young man who was fascinated with cars. And it didn’t hurt when Mario Andretti won the World Championship.

Years later I rediscovered Formula 1 on cable and watched as Michael Schumacher and Damon Hill battled it out.

I’ve never liked Michael Schumacher because I watched the race where he very obviously crashed into Damon Hill to win his first World Championship. To me it was so obvious that I cannot believe he was still given the championship. Schumacher should only have 6 championships and Damon Hill should have two.

Then, just before this season started I learned how to use the BBC iPlayer from the US. I did it to watch Top Gear and Doctor Who, but then discovered that I can also watch Formula 1.

So, I am back to watching Formula 1 and while I am disappointed that there are no American drivers, I am once again excited about Formula 1.

And then…the big announcement…Formula 1 is returning to the US, but not only that, but it is coming right to my backdoor, Austin, Texas. I would never have dreamed that was even possible.

I can hardly wait.