The FORMULA 1 UNITED STATES GRAND PRIX was named the “Sports Event of the Year” for 2012 by the prestigious SportsBusiness Journal/Daily publication. Here are just a few reasons why the inaugural event was so spectacular:

ATTENDANCE

• Circuit of The Americas hosted Formula 1's return to the United States after a fiveyear hiatus and set records in the process in November 2012. F1 USGP tickets were sold to guests in each of the 50 United States, in 46 countries and on every continent except Antarctica!
• The Circuit's three-day attendance (Nov. 16-18) was 265,499, making it the secondhighest attended F1 Grand Prix of the 2012 season.
• Race-day attendance for the F1 USGP was 117,429, making it the third-highest attended F1 race of the year.
• Individual attendance numbers for the 2012 event are as follows:

-  Friday, Nov. 16 (practice rounds): 65,360

-  Saturday, Nov. 17 (practice and qualifying rounds): 82,710

-  Sunday, Nov. 18 (race day): 117,429

MEDIA EXPOSURE

• The city of Austin gained global media coverage worth $191.2 million from hosting the 2012 FORMULA 1 UNITED STATES GRAND PRIX, according to new research by Formula 1 industry monitor Formulamoney.
• This comprised $166.7 million in exposure generated verbally and visually through television broadcasts and a further $24.4 million through mentions of Austin and F1 in print and major online media.
• The event also generated a high level of exposure for the other brands involved in F1. The 162 brands displayed on cars and track-side signage and installations during the race gained exposure with an advertising value equivalent of $150.9 million. This total ranks the FORMULA 1 UNITED STATES GRAND PRIX as the best race of 2012 in terms of brand exposure, giving F1's sponsors bigger benefits than famous events such as the Monaco, British and Italian Grands Prix.
• An economic impact study prepared for the State of Texas following the 2012 event demonstrated that the FORMULA 1 UNITED STATES GRAND PRIX generated $547 million in revenue for the State of Texas and $30 million in state sales taxes. States revenues were generated from the money and taxes spent on items such as F1 USGP tickets, airfare, lodgings, ground transportation, food and beverage, alcohol, merchandise, shopping and entertainment, catering, marketing and sponsorship costs, television production and gratuities.
• Given the sizable economic impact of the event, the FORMULA 1 UNITED STATES GRAND PRIX qualifies for reimbursement from the Texas Major Events Trust Fund, which was established to help lure major sporting events, such as the Super Bowl and NCAA Final Four, to the Lone Star State.
• Additionally, Circuit of The Americas has pumped millions of dollars into the Central Texas economy through the construction of its $400 million sports and entertainment complex. The in-state labor payroll alone to build the Circuit's main campus with its numerous support buildings and 3.4-mile racetrack was $81 million, while another $171 million dollars was spent on construction and fabrication materials and permanent equipment.
• Since its inception, Circuit of The Americas has created 300 full-time equivalent jobs and continues to grow its core team as new events are added to its already robust annual schedule. During the F1 USGP, the Circuit employs an additional 3,000 temporary workers assist with important roles such as guest services, parking, transportation and traffic control, marketing and merchandise sales.

ECONOMIC IMPACT

• An economic impact study prepared for the State of Texas following the 2012 event demonstrated that the FORMULA 1 UNITED STATES GRAND PRIX generated $547 million in revenue for the State of Texas and $30 million in state sales taxes. States revenues were generated from the money and taxes spent on items such as F1 USGP tickets, airfare, lodgings, ground transportation, food and beverage, alcohol, merchandise, shopping and entertainment, catering, marketing and sponsorship costs, television production and gratuities.
• Given the sizable economic impact of the event, the FORMULA 1 UNITED STATES GRAND PRIX qualifies for reimbursement from the Texas Major Events Trust Fund, which was established to help lure major sporting events, such as the Super Bowl and NCAA Final Four, to the Lone Star State.
• Additionally, Circuit of The Americas has pumped millions of dollars into the Central Texas economy through the construction of its $400 million sports and entertainment complex. The in-state labor payroll alone to build the Circuit's main campus with its numerous support buildings and 3.4-mile racetrack was $81 million, while another $171 million dollars was spent on construction and fabrication materials and permanent equipment.
• Since its inception, Circuit of The Americas has created 300 full-time equivalent jobs and continues to grow its core team as new events are added to its already robust annual schedule. During the F1 USGP, the Circuit employs an additional 3,000 temporary workers assist with important roles such as guest services, parking, transportation and traffic control, marketing and merchandise sales. 

FOOD AND BEVERAGE FUN FACTS

– Courtesy of Sodexo, Circuit of The Americas' official hospitality partner

• It took 2.2 million pounds of ice to accommodate the needs of F1 USGP race weekend.
• 12,000 pounds of French Fries were served race weekend.
• 32,736 gallons of beer were on hand for race weekend.
• Sodexo stocked enough hot dogs to make a frankfurter chain running 5.32 miles long—or that would wrap around the racing circuit 1.5 times.
• The average food service worker walked seven miles each day on race weekend.
• Sodexo reduced its impact to the environment by using Texas-based Liquid Environmental Solutions group for collecting and recycling all fry oil.
• Sodexo also reduced waste by offering 140,000 reusable, commemorative cups to spectators.