Formula 1 Rumor: USGP to remain at COTA through 2034

The contract for the United States Grand Prix (USGP) at the Circuit of the Americas (COTA) currently runs through the end of the 2026 season.

–by Mark Cipolloni–

As of today (October 15, 2025), Formula 1 and COTA are close to finalizing a long-term 8-year extension that would keep the race on the calendar through at least 2034, according to reports from the Austin Business Journal.

While the deal has not been officially announced as signed, negotiations are described as advanced and progressing positively, with COTA Chairman Bobby Epstein expressing optimism in September. Given the momentum, renewal appears highly likely and could be announced during this year’s race weekend.

The excitement of Formula 1 will begin before lights out thanks to a brand-new pre-race show, F1 Grid Gigs presented by American Express, with the first to take place at this weekend’s United States Grand Prix.

A unique blend of music and motorsport, the new feature was inspired by the celebrated F1 75 Live season opener at London’s The O2 arena, watched by an incredible 7.5 million viewers across F1’s social channels.

Partnering with world renowned and locally relevant artists around the globe, F1 Grid Gigs will elevate the pre-race entertainment spectacle for fans in the stands and at home during the countdown to the cars heading out on track.

At Austin, widely regarded as the live music capital of the world, the inaugural show will embrace Texas’ rich music heritage by giving the stage to local country singer and actor Drake Milligan.

“There’s nothing like the energy of a Formula 1 grid as the world gets ready for the best drivers to go head-to-head,” said Emily Prazer, Chief Commercial Officer at F1.

“F1 Grid Gigs presented by American Express will elevate one of the most anticipated moments of a Grand Prix weekend.

“This new pre-race show has been designed to capture and celebrate the thrill of the grid and give fans in the stands and at home a taste of adrenaline and exhilaration before we go racing.”

Known for his chart-topping album Dallas/Fort Worth and hit songs ‘Sounds Like Something I’d Do’, ‘Honky Tonkin’ About’ with The Reklaws, and ‘I Got a Problem’, Drake’s distinct traditional country sound blended with his own unique modern flare, makes him one of the rising stars of country music.

In Austin, Drake’s performance will mark the start of the race preparations, taking to the grid to entertain fans in the stands and at home, just before the drivers leave their garages to head out onto track.

F1 Grid Gigs presented by American Express will return at the 2025 Las Vegas Grand Prix, with a world-class artist performance in the City of Lights before the racing begins at the iconic Las Vegas Strip Circuit.

Also expected to be announced this weekend is that Colton Herta will drive for HiTech in F2 next year and the new F1 TV contract with Apple, replacing ESPN after this year.

Apple and F1 are also working on a sequel to the hugely successful F1 Movie slated to hit Apple TV in December, with rumors we could see Brad Pitt go up against Tom Cruise in the sequel.

The USGP has a storied history in Formula 1, dating back to the championship’s early days. The inaugural F1 edition took place on December 12, 1959, at Sebring International Raceway in Florida, where New Zealand’s Bruce McLaren claimed victory in a Cooper-Climax.

Prior to that, precursors like the 1908 American Grand Prize on public roads in Savannah and Long Island marked the event’s roots in American motorsport. Over the decades, the race wandered between venues like Riverside, Watkins Glen (which hosted it 20 times from 1961 to 1980), Long Beach (as the United States Grand Prix West from 1976 to 1983), and a brief stint at Detroit in the 1980s.

After a hiatus, it returned in 2000 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, running there until 2007 amid controversies like the 2005 tire fiasco.

The modern chapter began in 2012 at the purpose-built Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas, revitalizing F1’s presence in the U.S. with Sebastian Vettel’s dominant win and over 100,000 fans in attendance. The last several years have seen over 400,000 in attendance over the weekend.

Note: Ever hear of Uzbekistan? Rumor has it they may be angling for a possible F1 race in the future. The government is paying to host the upcoming FIA general assembly in the capital of Tashkent in December. Who would have guessed?

Since the election of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, Uzbekistan economic and social reforms have been implemented to boost growth and modernize the country, and they think hosting an F1 race will help put the country on the world stage.

Uzbekistan is a Central Asian nation and former Soviet republic. It’s known for its mosques, mausoleums and other sites linked to the Silk Road, the ancient trade route between China and the Mediterranean.

Uzbekistan is a major producer and exporter of cotton. In 2022, the Cotton Campaign and other agencies, including the US Government, lifted all bans on the import of cotton imposed due to international human rights concerns.

Uzbekistan is also a big producer of gold, with the largest open-pit gold mine in the world. The country has substantial deposits of silver, strategic minerals, gas, and oil.