Formula One will return to the United States in 2012 with an agreement to race in Austin on a purpose-built circuit, the promoter and Texas state officials said yesterday.

Under the agreement, the Texas capital city will host the US Grand Prix until 2021.

The Indianapolis Motor Speedway hosted a US Grand Prix from 2000-2007, an eight-year run that had its problems.

In 2005, 14 of 20 drivers withdrew just prior to the start of the race to protest concerns about tyre safety.

Prior to arriving at Indianapolis, Formula One had run in the US in Long Beach, California, Las Vegas, Detroit, Dallas and Phoenix on a variety of street circuits.

Tavo Hellmund, managing partner of race promoter Full Throttle Productions, said the Austin track and grandstand would be built within 10 miles of the Austin airport.

"The visibility and prestige of this event will spotlight our state on an international stage," Texas Comptroller Susan Combs said in a statement.

Worthy site

Hellmund said Austin, the state capital and site of the main campus of the University of Texas, was a worthy site for the elite motor racing circuit.

"You don't put Austin in the same sentence as Monaco or Singapore, but everyone was blown away," Hellmund said of F1 officials who gave the nod to the city.

"It isn't a one-trick pony where we're going to set up a street course."

Formula One supremo Bernie Ecclestone welcomed the return of the United States to the sport's calendar.

"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," said Ecclestone.

"It was 30 years ago that the United States Grand Prix was last held on a purpose-built perma-nent road course circuit in Watkins Glen, which enjoyed great success."