Sacked F1 Driver in Huge Demand for US GP - ‘He’s Really Loved in Texas’
Chairman of the Circuit of the Americas (COTA), Bobby Epstein has revealed his wish to see Daniel Ricciardo during the United States Grand Prix between October 18 and 20, despite his Formula 1 ousting after the Singapore GP due to his huge fan following in the United States, particularly in Texas.
The Australian driver is known in the Formula 1 world for his charismatic persona and attractive smile, which have gained him a huge fan base across the world. However, Red Bull's junior team VCARB parted ways with him on performance grounds after the recent race at the Marina Bay Street Circuit. Replacing him will be Red Bull's reserve driver, Liam Lawson, who will race for the remainder of the 2024 season.
Epstein is of the opinion that his presence at COTA, not as a driver, but as a member of the F1 community will make a difference. Suggesting that he has plans for Ricciardo during the bustling race weekend, he told the media :
"Daniel, he may be able to have just as big an impact out of the car as he has in it at our grand prix.
"I'm not sure that necessarily people are buying tickets to come see him race if he's not in a competitive car, right?
"So if you're coming because he's part of the F1 community, I think he can still be part of the F1 community in a pretty meaningful way.
"He's really, really loved in Texas, and I think he likes it here.
"And so I would hope that he makes himself available more to the fans than he would otherwise be if he had an obligation in the car.
"I hope he's still coming here, because we've got a lot of people who would love to shake his hand or get his autograph or take a picture. Just see him around town. We'll keep him busy."
Epstein attributes Formula 1's growing popularity in America to the fierce competition at the front of the grid this season, a stark contrast to last year's Red Bull dominance. He also notes that the addition of high-profile Grand Prix venues like Miami and Las Vegas has further fueled the sport's appeal across the U.S. He added:
"It is probably a wash... in terms of our tenants, it brings some more attention to the sport, and then it competes for ticket sales to some extent, but not so much, because they're so uniquely different events and with the timing of that race, it's tough.
"I like it, because it's a spectacle. I think it builds the sport globally. Whether it builds it as much in the US as Miami...
"I think Miami does more for building the US audience because of the time that it's on, but I love the spectacle of the Vegas race, and I hope more people watch it.
"I'd love for them to rebroadcast it in the middle of the afternoon."
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This story was originally published October 7, 2024, 8:00 AM.
