COTA Confirms Staff Layoffs; Faces Uncertain Future

Photo: Brian Cleary/BCPix.com

Circuit of The Americas has confirmed staff layoffs in response to recent event postponements and cancelations due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The home of the U.S. Formula 1 Grand Prix faces an uncertain future, amid reports that the track has been closed indefinitely.

It comes following further event restrictions announced by the City of Austin and Travis County, where the circuit resides in, on Saturday, banning gatherings of 250 people or more through at least May 1.

MotoGP’s originally scheduled race on April 5 has been postponed to November while IndyCar’s event for next month has been canceled outright.

In a statement released on Sunday, COTA, which also hosts sporting events, concerts and conferences, confirmed the staff layoffs.

According to the Austin Stateman, the facility will be closing its doors indefinitely as a result.

“We are heartbroken for our employees (and their families) who spend all year preparing to welcome guests from Austin and all around the globe but now find themselves without work,” the statement read.

“The joy of creating memorable occasions has been replaced with the disappointing reality of a worldwide crisis.

“It is indeed a terrible time in the event and hospitality business.

“Most of all, we hope that everyone stays healthy, heeds the caution advised by leaders and experts and comes back to COTA when good times return.”

COTA most recently hosted the season-opening round of SRO America’s GT World Challenge America powered by AWS and associated series last weekend.

The track, opened in 2012, and has been through several major management shakeups as well as financial issues in recent years.

John Dagys

John Dagys is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Sportscar365. Dagys spent eight years as a motorsports correspondent for FOXSports.com and SPEED Channel and has contributed to numerous other motorsports publications worldwide. Contact John