Jul.8 (GMM) Leading figures of the 2012 United States grand prix in Texas will be trackside at Silverstone this weekend.

According to the local Austin newspaper Statesman, promoter Tavo Hellmund as well as Texas comptroller Susan Combs will be at the British grand prix.

Combs' role in the race bid is in overseeing the state's $25 million in annual funding, but a spokesman for her office said she is paying for the personal trip herself.

The news is amid reports that a second American F1 project is in the works, and scepticism that Austin can get its purpose-built circuit built in time.

Richard Suttle, the Austin project's lawyer, revealed to the Chronicle newspaper that the official announcement by Bernie Ecclestone in May was a surprise.

"We had no idea it was coming, and it started a firestorm," said Suttle. "Ever since, it's been the old term, 'drinking water from the fire hose'."

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