US GP Facts & Figures

By Andrew Hooper
September 19 2003

   
Facts & Figures
 
 - This year's race will be the fourth US Grand Prix to be held at Indianapolis. Previous winners include Michael Schumacher (2000, Ferrari), Mika Häkkinen (2001, McLaren-Mercedes) and Rubens Barrichello (2002, Ferrari).

- The first US Grand Prix was held at Sebring in 1959 and was won by Bruce McLaren in a Cooper-Climax. In 1960, Formula One moved to Riverside, and in the following year to Watkins Glen, where a total of 20 World Championship races were held up until 1980. From 1976 until 1983, F1 went to Long Beach for the US Grand Prix West eight times. The 1980s also saw two F1 races in Las Vegas, one in Dallas and seven in Detroit. From 1989 to 1991, Phoenix was the venue for the US Grand Prix. Formula 1 racing cars have lined up a total of 46 times in the US.

- WilliamsF1 has won five times in the US: Alan Jones claimed three US victories at Watkins Glen (1980), Las Vegas (1981) and Long Beach (1981). Keke Rosberg won the 1984 race at Dallas as well as the 1985 Grand Prix in Detroit.

- Nelson Piquet won at Detroit in 1984 in a Brabham BMW.

- Last year, Montoya and Schumacher qualified in fourth and fifth positions respectively. Montoya maintained grid position and crossed the finish line in fourth place despite an early collision with Ralf. After the incident, Ralf had to pit for a repair and finished the race in 16th place.

- In 2000, Juan Pablo Montoya made motor sport history when he won the legendary 500-mile race from a standing start. Nobody had won this classic on their debut since 1966 (Graham Hill).

- The Formula One circuit at Indianapolis is 4.192 km long. The 73 lap race distance is 306.016 km. The track includes the 1822 metre oval used in the 500 mile race, but the race is held clockwise, in the opposite direction. A tighter section is created for Formula One in the infield, made up of 13 corners.

- Barrichello has held the lap record (1:12.738 min) since 2002, last year Michael Schumacher took pole position in 1:10.790 min.

- The race will start at 1.00 pm (7.00am BST, 8.00am CET) on Sunday 28 September.

- Indianapolis, capital city of the US state of Indiana, has a population of about 800,000. Around 1.6 million people live in the surrounding area of Marion County. Indianapolis was inaugurated in 1821. The city is characterised by the planned arcing of its main streets. These streets have given the twelfth biggest city in the US the nickname of Circle City.
 
 
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