Whiting gives US circuit the green light

The venue for November's US grand prix - the first in the country since 2007 - was given the green light after FIA technical delegate and race director Charlie Whiting conducted a 60-day inspection.

Whiting has declared the 5.5km (3.4-mile) track and the pit and paddock buildings as "fantastic," and had no hesitation in awarding Cota the "Grade One" status that now allows it to stage grands prix.

"Everything I've seen so far has been absolutely first class and the progress that's been made since the last time I was here is amazing," he said.

"It's built to the highest quality exactly as we expected and I've absolutely no complaints whatsoever."

Whiting will conduct one final inspection on the Monday before the race to ensure completion of the remaining ongoing landscaping and painting projects.