COTA confirmation ends long-running chatter over second U.S. Formula E race

For the first time since Formula E’s first season, two races in two States will take place next year following the addition of Circuit of The Americas in Austin, Texas, along with Miami.

The move ends years of talk over a second U.S. race, and makes it one of just two countries, along with Miami, to host two events at two different venues next season.

“We're super excited to have two races in the USA, in Miami and Austin,” said Formula E CEO Jeff Dodds. “We think it's a really good combination of two locations.”

The race will take place on a “modified” version of the track, expected to be “a little over three kilometers”, and is the culmination of a plan that was set in motion three years ago when Dodds and COTA boss Bobby Epstein talked up the possibility of a race when the GEN4 cars come along – as they will next season – which could be properly showcased at the wide, expansive venue.

“It was myself and Bobby Epstein, the owner of the circuit, in his car with his dog on the passenger seat, and it was snowing. It was a blizzard coming in as we drove around that circuit in Austin, and we talked about when might be the right time to look at the circuit, and we both agreed pretty quickly.

“We didn't think it would show GEN3 car off to its best capability, but perhaps GEN4 might be perfect timing to bring Formula E to Austin, and that's played out, and it's come true.”

Dodds also says that the city of Austin itself also lends itself to Formula E’s progressive, forward thinking ethos.

“We think Austin is a very vibrant city, very progressive city, high on technology,” he said. “They obviously have South by Southwest there, so we know it's a highly digital native community there.

“We think Austin and Miami together as a combination is a pretty impressive double location for us.”

COTA – like fellow new calendar additions Brands Hatch and Zandvoort – is tied to a multi-year deal, but talks with other U.S. locations are still ongoing. The likes of Atlanta and Phoenix are among those mentioned, but one of those won’t be Portland which hosted successful E-Prix events in 2023 and ‘24.

“Within the live conversations we're having, there are still other U.S. cities talking to us about potentially putting on a race,” Dodds revealed. “Portland, I thought was super cool. I think our expectations going to Portland were modest, but I think that IndyCar crowd really showed up, and the circuit put on a good race for us.

"But, what we're very focused on is making sure that Austin and Miami become a very successful double act.”