Here’s some news you probably didn’t see coming: After a three-year absence, Formula 1 racing will return to the United States in–of all place–Austin, Texas.

After reading that you’re probably thinking, “Austin? I didnt’ know there was a track in Austin.”

And you are right. Somehow, F1 has committed itself to racing in Austin beginning in 2012 and going through 2021 at a facility that hasn’t been built yet. So if the US Grand Prix couldn’t survive in Indianapolis, the home of open wheel racing in the United States, what chance does it have in Texas? We don’t know either.

F1′s Bernie Ecclestone had this to say about the news: “For the first time in the history of Formula One in the United States, a world-class facility will be purpose-built to host the event. It was thirty years ago that the Formula 1 United States Grand Prix™ was last held on a purpose-built permanent road course circuit in Watkins Glen, NY (1961-1980), which enjoyed great success. Since then, Formula One has been hosted by Long Beach, Las Vegas, Detroit, Dallas and Phoenix all on temporary street circuits. Indianapolis joined the ranks of host cities in 2000 when they added a road course inside the famed oval. Lewis Hamilton won the last Formula 1 United States Grand Prix™ in 2007, signalling the end to eight years at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. This however, will be the first time a facility is constructed from the ground up specifically for Formula One in the US.”

If you are interested, you can read the full press release here.