Work currently stopped at 2012 US GP venue

Construction of the 2012 US grand prix venue in Austin has stopped, according to the local American Statesman newspaper.

Reporter Eric Dexheimer said he has received "several anonymous phone calls" informing that no work has been taking place at the site of the Circuit of the Americas for the past few days.

One caller reportedly said "the project’s general contractor, Austin Commercial, had called a meeting of subcontractors last week and instructed them to go home for a couple of weeks; there was no money to pay them."

But circuit spokesman Jeff Hahn said that information is wide of the mark, insisting that the project is still alive.

Hahn said good weather had meant the initial construction was ahead of schedule and therefore contractors "now must wait a few days for the next instalment."

"We’re matching the (bank) draw schedule to the construction schedule," he added.

Meanwhile, contrary to reports last week, David Coulthard’s demonstration of the Red Bull show car did go ahead in Texas at the weekend.

The events took place not only at a ranch owned by Circuit of the Americas backer Red McCombs but also in front of the Texas State Capitol Building and at the dusty grand prix site.

Also on Coulthard’s agenda was showing Hollywood actor Tom Cruise how to drive the F1 car at the Willow Springs track in southern California.

Red Bull confirmed that Cruise hit almost 300kmh with competitive lap times, impressing Coulthard.

"I was surprised that he picked it up so quickly and is such an accomplished driver," he said.