Council votes to put US GP back on track

The 2012 US grand prix is back on the right track after the Austin council signed off the Circuit of the Americas’ Texan state funding.

After a vote was delayed last week and a dissenting new member was sworn in, it was feared a negative outcome could sound the project’s death knell.

But local reports reveal that the council voted 5-2 in favour of the project receiving $25 million annually in state funding for the next decade.

It seems the next twist in the road will be efforts to move the race’s provisional debut date, with the US grand prix currently paired with Canada in hot June next year.

"Mr Ecclestone has most of the say for when these races are scheduled," said project attorney Richard Suttle, according to the Austin American Statesman.

"If you ask my personal preference," added circuit president Steve Sexton, "I would prefer it be in the fall."