- The FIA has been a part of American motor sport for almost a century since officiating land speed record attempts in the U.S. during the 1930s
- The Freedom 250 Grand Prix is underpinned by over a decade of collaboration between the FIA and INDYCAR
- World-leading FIA safety standards continue to protect drivers across the United States
The Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA), the global governing body for motor sport and the federation for mobility organisations worldwide, is celebrating almost a century of motor sport history and legacy in the United States ahead of the highly anticipated Freedom 250 NTT INDYCAR SERIES race this weekend marking 250 years of American independence.
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Motor sport safety has always been a central mission of the FIA and this weekend every driver lining up on the NTT INDYCAR SERIES grid will use FIA-approved driver safety equipment including helmets manufactured to FIA international standards, shaped by the Federation's decades of safety research across disciplines from Formula 1 to rallying, and rigorously validated through crash testing before ever reaching the grid.
The FIA's connection with American motor sport dates back to the 1930s when the Federation officiated land speed records on the iconic salt flats of Bonneville, Utah. A couple of decades later the 1950 Indianapolis 500 would count as a round of the inaugural Formula One World Championship calendar, linking one of America's most historic races with the pinnacle of international motor sport.
Over the decades that followed, the United States Grand Prix travelled across the nation with each venue helping to introduce new generations of fans to world-class competition while the invention of karting in California in August 1956, paved the way for greater participation in motor sport based on karts originally built steel tubes and a lawnmower engine.
Under the leadership of FIA President H.E. Mohammed Ben Sulayem, the United States now hosts a record number of FIA world championship rounds with races for the FIA Formula One World Championship, ABB FIA Formula E World Championship and FIA World Endurance Championship.
This year the United States will host five FIA World Championship rounds including three iconic circuits for the FIA Formula One World Championship calendar at the Miami Grand Prix, the United States Grand Prix in Texas and the Las Vegas Grand Prix. The Miami e-Prix featured on the 2026 ABB FIA Formula E World Championship calendar, and the upcoming six-hour Lone Star Le Mans race forms part of the 2026 FIA World Endurance Championship calendar.
In partnership with the FIA Member Club, the Automobile Competition Committee for the United States (ACCUS), motor sport in the United States is set to grow even further over the coming months and years. A successful candidate event staged earlier this year has laid the path for a return of the FIA World Rally Championship to the United States from next year, whilst Karting is set to celebrate 70 years of history later this year following its invention in California in August 1956.
Additionally, history was made earlier this month as the FIA confirmed a new provisional World Land Speed Record for a hydrogen internal combustion-powered vehicle, as the JCB Hydromax recorded a speed of 406.320 miles per hour 653.909 kilometres per hour on the Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah, USA.
H.E. Mohammed Ben Sulayem, President of the FIA, said: "The FIA has played a key role in American motorsport for almost a century and we are proud to see the Freedom 250 NTT INDYCAR SERIES race pairing 250 years of American achievement with a sport that embodies speed, ingenuity and the freedom of the open road. The United States has played an important role in the history and the continued growth of global motorsport and today that contribution is stronger than ever, with a growing fanbase, a world-leading automotive industry, and some of the most exciting races in the world.
"This is a landmark event, and it is an honour for the FIA to be a part of it. Congratulations to President Trump, the U.S. Government, INDYCAR, our Member Club ACCUS, and all involved on making this vision a reality."
The Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA) is the governing body for world motor sport and the federation for mobility organisations globally. It is a non-profit organisation committed to driving innovation and championing safety, sustainability and equality across motor sport and mobility.
Founded in 1904, with offices in Paris, London and Geneva, the FIA brings together 245 Member Organisations across five continents, representing millions of road users, motor sport professionals and volunteers. It develops and enforces regulations for motor sport, including six FIA World Championships, to ensure worldwide competitions are safe and fair for all.
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Contacts:
For media enquiries, please contact:
Omar Sharif, Sport Communications Manager: osharif@fia.com
