A delayed US grand prix next year could be a sigh of relief for more than one reason.
Officially, it is believed the organisers requested the date change from June to November to avoid Austin’s hot summer.
But there might be more to it, amid speculation a deadline for the first race payment to Bernie Ecclestone will shortly pass while the Texas comptroller continues to review the application for state funding.
"We’re aware of a possible date change and as part of our review we will take in any new information that may affect the timeline for disbursement under Major Events Trust Fund Statute," a spokeswoman for the comptroller told the Austin American Statesman.
Another issue is that, with less than a year to go until the US GP’s original 2012 race date, actual construction of the circuit buildings has not yet begun.
"A great deal of dirt has been moved," FIA official Nick Craw said after a visit to the site last month.