Lotus To Take Opening Honours At The Circuit Of The Americas

Lotus will become the first Formula 1 team to drive the brand new Circuit of the Americas race track in Austin, Texas next month. Former F1 driver Mario Andretti, who won the F1 title in 1978, will be joined by former Grey's Anatomy actor Patrick Dempsey and Belgian Lotus reserve driver Jerome d'Ambrosio, with all three men completing demo runs with the R30 from 2010.

The Hermann Tilke designed race circuit will be officially opened by Andretti, with his outing set to mark his first run in a modern Formula 1 car since his retirement from the sport in 1982. Dempsey, who has raced the 24 hours of Le Mans, will also have a go in the R30 before handing over to d'Ambrosio.

Next month's Grand Prix at the Austin venue in Texas marks the first F1 race in the United States since 2007, when the United States Grand Prix was held at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.