Circuit of The Americas chairman Bobby Epstein says he would have the ability to guarantee Daniel Ricciardo nonetheless has a significant presence on the upcoming United States Grand Prix regardless of having misplaced his race seat.
Purple Bull opted to exchange Ricciardo with Liam Lawson at RB for the remainder of this season, successfully signaling the top of Ricciardo’s racing profession in Formulation 1. With COTA the subsequent race on the calendar in late October, Epstein says Ricciardo’s recognition in North America — and particularly on the Texas occasion — ensures he would nonetheless be an enormous draw for followers just by his presence at COTA even when he isn’t driving.
“Daniel, he could possibly have simply as large of an impression out of the automobile as he has in it at our at our grand prix,” Epstein mentioned. “I’m unsure that essentially persons are shopping for tickets to return see him race if he’s not in a aggressive automobile, proper? So if you happen to’re coming as a result of he’s a part of the the F1 neighborhood, I believe he can nonetheless be a part of the F1 neighborhood in a fairly significant manner.
“He’s actually, actually cherished in Texas, and I believe he likes it right here. And so I might hope that he makes himself out there extra to the followers than he would in any other case be if he had an obligation within the automobile … I hope he’s nonetheless coming right here, as a result of we acquired lots of people that might like to shake his hand or get his autograph or take an image. Simply see him round city. We’ll preserve him busy.”
Purple Bull has knowledgeable Ricciardo that it will like him to stay concerned with the crew in an ambassadorial position, however as of but there isn’t a settlement about such a partnership.
Ticket gross sales for the grand prix at COTA began slower than in recent times however have been strengthened by the unfolding championship battle as Max Verstappen has didn’t win in eight races, and Epstein doesn’t imagine the addition of a 3rd U.S. race in Las Vegas significantly harm gross sales given the main target it has dropped at the game.
“It’s most likely a wash… by way of our tenants, it brings some extra consideration to the game, after which it competes for ticket gross sales to some extent, however not a lot, as a result of they’re so uniquely completely different occasions and with the timing of that race, it’s robust.
“I prefer it [Vegas GP], as a result of it’s a spectacle. I believe it builds the game globally. Whether or not it builds it as a lot within the U.S. as Miami… I believe Miami does extra for constructing the U.S. viewers due to the time that it’s on, however I really like the spectacle of the Vegas race, and I hope extra folks watch it. I’d love for them to rebroadcast it in the midst of the afternoon.”
