F1: Button Looking Forward To Austin

Formula 1

F1: Button Looking Forward To Austin

Jenson Button weighs in on the upcoming US Grand Prix...

Adam Cooper | http://www.speedtv.com | Posted February 01, 2012 Woking (UK)

Team McLaren Mercedes driver Jenson Button unveils the new MP-27 Formula 1 car at the McLaren technology centre on February 1, 2012 in Woking, England. (Photo: Getty Images

Jenson Button says he’s looking forward to visiting Austin for the US GP in November, and is expecting the COTA venue to be a good one.

Speaking at the launch of the new McLaren today, the 2009 World Champion said he hopes that F1 attracts a lot of support.

“I'm really excited about heading back to the States,” said Button. “I've never been to Austin but I've heard great things about the city itself, and I've heard also great things about the circuit, the layout, and hopefully we can put on a great show when we get there.

“I remember racing in the States before in Indianapolis which was, you know, a good circuit, but I think the steps that Austin have taken to make sure this is a proper, pukka Formula 1 circuit I think we're gonna love it, you know. It's going to be a lot of fun. And hopefully we have the support of the American fans.”

Meanwhile team boss Martin Whitmarsh emphasized once more that the USA is a major market for F1.

“I think all the teams believe it's very important and we've got to make a success of it this time. As we all know, our time in America has been spasmodic and unsuccessful. We have to treat it almost as a new market. But actually there's a huge interest in Formula 1 that is untapped in the States. We've got to work harder. What we have to accept is, America doesn't need Formula 1; we need it more than it needs us.

“So I think the onus has got to be on the teams, the promoter, all of us, to work – and the commercial rights holder – to work very hard to make sure that we educate we promote, we develop the interest, we reach out in America.

“So we've got to work harder than, perhaps, a new Grand Prix in Europe or Asia or South America, where, there is a ready interest and a ready uptake. We've got a real challenge. But it's important. It's important to our commercial partners. The States is still a rather big market for really any multinational company. There are only two world sports, soccer and Formula 1, and for us to be a great world sport, we've got to conquer the States.”

Adam Cooper notched up his 27th season as a racing journalist in 2011. He has written about F1 for SPEED.com since 2005. Follow him on Twitter.