F1 Abandoned US Grand Prix after Being Hit by Legal Threats

The United States Grand Prix is almost here, bringing back memories of when Formula 1 was once forced to abandon race after a string of threats.

F1 returns this weekend, with the drivers descending on Austin, Texas for the US GP at the Circuit of the Americas.

The world championship battle remains finely poised, with McLaren's Oscar Piastri holding a 22-poind lead over his teammate Lando Norris.

But four-time world champion Max Verstappen has enjoyed a resurgence in recent weeks and now sits just 63 points behind the championship leader. The Circuit of the Americas has hosted the US GP since 2012, but a race weekend has been held in the USA since 1959.

The race has been hosted by several different states, including Florida, California, Michigan. But one of the most exciting moves came in 1983, when Bernie Ecclestone tried to bring an F1 race to New York City.

Bernie Ecclestone. Image: NurPhoto / Contributor via Getty

Ecclestone promised “the beauty and charm associated with Monte Carlo” but with a “definite New York atmosphere”.

The race was scheduled for September 1983, but it was cancelled that June following environmental protests, legal threats and problems with sponsorships.

Ecclestone continued to push for the race to happen at Flushing Meadows park over the following couple of years, but he was never able to make the race happen.

And in 1985 he finally gave up on the idea, and the New York GP was officially abandoned from the Formula 1 calendar.

Currently, there are currently three Grand Prix weekends held in the United States.

Miami made its debut in 2022 at the Miami International Autodrome, with this year's race taking place in May.

Oscar Piastri won this year's Miami Grand Prix. Image: Rudy Carezzevoli / Stringer via Getty

Las Vegas was the more recent addition to the calendar, with the first race held in 2023.

Originally, the deal was set to run until the end of this season, but it has now been extended until 2027.

For now, all eyes are on this weekend's race in Texas.

With just six round left in the season, tensions are rising within the McLaren garage.

Despite maintaining a strong relationship throughout most of the year, it boiled over last time out in Singapore when the two papaya cars made contact.

It caused frustration for Piastri, who asked the team if they were alright "with Lando just barging me out of the way."

Formula 1 fans will be watching closely this weekend to see how McLaren's team principal Zak Brown is able to manage the growing rivalry between his drivers.