FORMULA ONE

• F1 returns to U.S. in 2012

  Austin, TX (Sports Network) - Formula One racing is returning to the United States in 2012.

  F1 top boss Bernie Ecclestone and race promoter Full Throttle Productions announced on Tuesday that Austin will serve as the host city of the U.S. Grand Prix until 2021. The racing circuit has not competed in America since 2007.

  "We are extremely honored and proud to reach an agreement with the F1 Commercial Rights Holder," Tavo Hellmund, managing partner of Full Throttle Productions, LP, said in a statement.

  "We have been diligently working together for several years to bring this great event to Austin, the State of Texas and back to the United States." According to Ecclestone, this will be the first time a facility is built specifically for an F1 event in the U.S.

  The USGP was first held in 1961 on the Watkins Glen, NY. road course. Watkins Glen hosted the race until 1980.

  Long Beach, CA, Las Vegas, Detroit, Dallas and Phoenix were host cities until Indianapolis Motor Speedway added a road course inside its famed 2.5-mile oval and held the event from 2000-07. Lewis Hamilton won the last USGP.

  05/25 19:23:27 ET