The Austin track features an elevation change of 40 metres
Further to my earlier story on Austin, here for the very first time is a computer generated 3-D image that gives a clearer idea of how the track will look.
An obvious key characteristic is the uphill run into Turn One, which is somewhat reminscent of the A1-Ring. The long back straight, which appears somewhat truncated in this picture, undulates like the old pit straight at Kyalami.
Incidentally it seems that race pomoter Tavo Hellmund did not after all officially release the basic track map to Austin’s Statesman newspaper. Apparently the determined local media outlet obtained it from City Hall within hours of it being received by the permits office, and then presented to a surprised Tavo for comments yesterday evening.
The above picture did however come via the right channels…
PS: In an official release this afternoon Hellmund said: “In the modern era of Grand Prix racing, I think this track layout and topography will be very special. It will have many of the elements of previous ‘classic’ circuits combined with the benefits of FIA-mandated safety for the competitors and spectators alike. Add in the amenities fans have come to expect, like rare, multiple-turn viewing opportunities for added value, and you have an ideal, world-class venue.
“For the competitors, we’ll have all the ingredients necessary. You’ll see fast turns that require commitment from the drivers and technical turns that will test the engineers from a set-up point of view. We have a good deal of elevation to make it not only scenic but challenging also, and the view of downtown Austin is wonderful as well.”
Adam Cooper's F1 Blog 
Inside the mind of Hermann Tilke:
“Okay, I’ve got a long straight with a hairpin at the end, what else does this track need… ah! A long straight with a hairpin at the end! Excellent, time for lunch.”
Dan, from what I’ve been reading from several other blog posting comments, Tilke has done a really good job laying out the track. I live here in Central Texas and there’s some griping about having Tilke design this track but after seeing it most here and around the world are saying he did a wonderful job.
Stretching the definition of exclusive there a bit Adam! 😉
But I think it looks okay. One or two faster, flowing sections I hope.
It’s also nice to see some elevation changes even if it’s not in any of the interesting parts of the track, most circuits these days are flat as a pancake and dull as dishwater…!
Well where else have you seen this already?
Looks pretty good for a Tilke track, elevation changes often help make a good track great too – here’s hoping!
That track looks nice! I personally think it would be better in reverse… With the downhill onto the long straight.. But as it’s uphill, that would mean the lighter fuelled cars would have an advantage uphill?
I’m not quite sure I like the uphill start – I was more or less hoping for something like Eau Rouge. Should be good though – glad to see progress!
Kinda looks like a cowboy boot (or a high heel).
turns 4,5,6,16 and 17???
Don’t get me wrong, at first glance, this track looks wonderful! I’m truly excited to see cars on it. I really think that turns 2,3,4,5,6 and 7 are going to be amazingly quick and fun to watch.
Not a quick corner in the place.
Typical Hellmund “brake, squirt, brake squirt,” no place for racing.
What a joke that guy is.
Looks great, like Tilke’s other tracks it should give us some awesome racing!
….no, wait, I did that wrong
I must say I’m a bit astonished about the amount of negative reaction. Have you actually had a look at the track? Or have you just read “Tilke” and “US” and come to what would seem an obvious conclusion – that the track is somewhat laklustre?
Because, surprisingly, for me the layout quite interesting. Although sadly I don’t really see a lot of opportunities for overtaking.
And, by the way, not all Tilke is bad – just have a look at Sepang or the Motorland Aragon. Or, for that matter, the A1 Ring.
Looks promising. I don’t understand how it can be quickly dismissed until a car is actually out on track. Silly to do that.
We have no idea how that elevation will present in real life or how quick the Silverstone/Turkey corners are. If they are as quick as those then it will be great to watch for sure. Is the elevation change at T1 really that dramatic. Is it a blind crest? Nobody knows but makes for an interesting approach especially if they approach at full chat looking for a a braking point.
Is T10 a blind off camber apex. Don’t know but would be an interesting challenge.
As for overtaking there appear to be several long straights with big braking zones but you don’t know until the thing is built.
Until there is a track map with track dimensions then it’s meaningless to speculate. I look forward to the first race.
T10 caught my eye as well. I love a blind corner cresting a hill. And T3-T9, what I would call the “esses”, look like a lot of fun. Let’s hope that T16-T18 provide as much excitement as Turkey.
I like the look of it. I’d have liked to see a ‘corkscrew’ style drop in the first corner, but it’s still looking a pretty nice track!
Ok with the elevation added it brings this track to life. Let us hope that a 40m change in elevation is enough. Does anyone know what Spa’s max elevation change is?
140m. Suzuka is second, with 55m. Austin is third. For comparison’s sake, Fuji has 38m of elevation.
Can I just remind all the people who are sending comments that when I said ‘Exclusive’ it might not be now, but it was at 1215pm UK time when I posted it! In the internet world if you are first by five minutes you are still first. If someone comes across a story eight or nine hours after it was written, having seen it elsewhere, they might not appreciate the timeline. Tavo Hellmund sent the image to me before he gave it to the Statesman which is why I used the ‘E’ word. I checked and the Statesman did not have it on the site when I wrote this story and posted it, and while they were pretty quick to add it to theit existing story, no motor sport website – other than ones I supply – had it until some time later, when a press release went out.
Adam, it’s nice to be first…
When you come down here to Austin in a couple of years I’ll take you around to see the beautiful local sights and have a beer or two if you want.
It looks pretty cool … mind you, does anyone remember the 3D image of Abu Dhabi and it’s own “Eau Rouge” …. i seem to remember the final track being as flat as a pancake, but maybe that was just on tv.
… excellent F1 blog incidentally. Been reading and enjoying your printed articles for years and years.
That’s just your television – it makes hills look quite flat. All of them do it; a lot of drivers comment that television doesn’t do Eau Rouge justice.
And Abu Dhabi does have some elevation – 18m of it. If you look at a photo of the cars going through turn four aimed back at the it building, you can clearly see that the circuit is elevated.
Here ar some interesting pictures taken the other night at a local meeting with officials and some of the local residents of Elroy Texas. The resolution isn’t great (I didn’t take them) but it sure shows the layout and elevation changes.
http://www.linkedin.com/news?viewArticle=&articleID=210265984&gid=3173519&type=member&item=30856313&articleURL=http%3A%2F%2Fs1234%2Ephotobucket%2Ecom%2Falbums%2Fff412%2Ffriends_of_formula_1_austin_texas%2F3d%2520Tilke%2520Model%2520Austin%2520F1%2520Circuit%2F&urlhash=QO3F
There is visibly a bundle to realize about this. I believe you made some nice points in features also.