Why Did the United States Grand Prix Stop Taking Place in Phoenix?

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The Formula 1 United States Grand Prix took place on the Phoenix Street circuit in Arizona for only three years before it was cancelled in March 1991.

The city hosted the world’s premier open-wheel series for three years, while attracting drivers like Alain Prost and Ayrton Senna to a temporary circuit within the downtown grid.

Sadly, the race never attracted the kind of attention or following organizers expected, despite the prestige and glamour. 

Attendance never reached the numbers that other circuits achieved, which sometimes exceeded 400,000 in one weekend. The numbers also couldn’t match the attendance figures at the grandstand events in Europe.

That’s one reason that the event was cancelled at the Phoenix Street circuit, but there were other reasons for the event’s withdrawal. 

Local Sentiment & Impact

Reactions among locals were mixed when news broke that Phoenix would lose the Grand Prix. Businesses near the circuit welcomed the expected addition to foot traffic that the race would bring, including international visitors that spent loads of money at restaurants, hotels and shops. However, the crowds never matched the estimations. 

A few hotels and restaurants downtown reported upticks over race weekends, but many retailers complained about the disruptions and road closures that actually cost them money. Some were broken by the news, while others saw it as a conclusion rather than a loss.

Meanwhile, Arizona sports betting sites turned a loss into something invaluable by continuing to allow local fans to place wagers on their favorite drivers and races while watching events live, regardless of where the races were held after the local cancellation.

They gave bettors new flexibility, from mobile access to in-play options that made the experience feel more immediate and personal. These live betting platforms quickly filled the gap for locals who enjoyed viewing and placing bets on the races, especially now that sportsbooks have gone online for added convenience.

Still, the sentiment and impact has largely been negative beyond the businesses thriving off live-streaming events with real-time odds. City officials banked on the events to put Phoenix on a global stage, particularly because the city was still carving its identity in the 1980s and 1990s.

Showing Arizona’s capital as an attractive and modern destination that hosts world-class events would’ve been worth every roadblock. Instead, the events were underwhelming, and taxpayers questioned whether the investment was even worth it. Ultimately, some cringed with the news, while others looked for ways to leverage it. 

Unfriendly Climates

One reason the Formula 1 United States Grand Prix was cancelled in Phoenix was that the events typically occurred in June, when local temperatures would exceed 100℉.

Fans didn’t enjoy the sweltering effects under the hot sun, with many leaving long before the checkered flag dropped. The heat made conditions impossible for spectators but also challenged the logistics of safely operating a street circuit.

Organizers moved the event to March by 1990, hoping to avoid the worst of summer. Still, the damage was done in the public eye. 

Competing for Attention

Phoenix also struggled to draw attention away from other sports. NASCAR boomed during the late 1980s in the US, and the nearby Phoenix International Raceway, now known as the Phoenix Raceway, was already listed on the popular NASCAR calendar.

Phoenix was even home to the introductory NASCAR truck race. Locals familiar with stock car racing didn’t flock to the Formula 1 events or have the same enthusiasm. They saw the European series as unfamiliar and distant territory that didn’t match regional storylines. 

The Phoenix event times also clashed with the NBA season, when the Phoenix Suns were deep in the Charles Barkley era during the early 1990s. The America West Arena saw sell-out crowds a few blocks away from the street circuit.

Competing with one of the hottest US sports and basketball teams was a tall order for any event. The F1 Phoenix presence was quickly overshadowed by other major events.

F1’s Ambitions Are Global

Formula 1 leaders always saw the US as an essential market to extend the events globally. However, the failed Phoenix experiment highlighted how hard it was to capture the attention of Americans focused on so many other incredible events.

The F1 officials expected widespread media attention and huge crowds, but it couldn’t meet the expectations set by places like Montreal or Monaco, despite the city offering wide streets. 

Empty grandstand images quickly circulated internationally, harming the brand’s image. Bernie Ecclestone, who was then in charge of the F1 commercial rights, sought alternatives as he planned to reposition America around venues that generate headlines, not questions

The Phoenix Aftermath

Phoenix didn’t retreat from motorsports once F1 left. NASCAR continues to thrive, while IndyCar makes appearances that draw impressive and consistent crowds.

There are even rumors that there will be a Phoenix Raceway doubleheader next year when NASCAR and IndyCar return after the latter event took a seven-year break. However, the street circuit has vanished while hardly leaving a trace. 

Roads that once hosted Prost’s Ferrari and Senna’s McLaren are now being used to serve daily commuters. The brief F1 stint has seemingly become a forgotten footnote on the Phoenix map.

It remains memorable for F1 fans and bettors who enjoy the events, but many locals hardly remember it was there. 

Some who lived in Phoenix during those three years also look back with nostalgia. It was a rare opportunity to watch a Formula 1 race in person. However, others recall the inconvenience caused by the road closures and traffic detours.

Both layers ultimately add to the story of why the street circuit in Phoenix failed.

Conclusion

The F1 United States Grand Prix at the Phoenix Street Circuit was truly an ambitious idea, but it never took root. Sweltering temperatures, low turnouts, and competing sports killed the dream for those who enjoyed the three years that brought global names to our stage.

Even the glamour behind the F1 couldn’t save the circuit. Locals expressed joy and sadness when the series left in 1991, and businesses also leaned both ways.

However, it helps to see Phoenix’s short run as a cautionary tale or a stepping stone for future US market entries.