Lewis Hamilton believes Formula One can start to put down roots in the United States from this weekend.

The sport has struggled to capture the imagination of the American public.

Riverside, Sebring, Watkins Glen, Dallas, Detroit, Las Vegas, Long Beach, Phoenix and Indianapolis – the latter most recently in 2007 – have tried and failed to showcase F1.

Now F1 has a purpose-built facility, the Circuit of The Americas just outside Texas' capital city, Austin.

Hamilton said: "I'm excited we're going back to the States.

"It's a fantastic country and a place where our sport deserves to be.

"The Circuit Of The Americas looks like it could also be the place modern F1 calls home.

"I've only driven it on the simulator, but I think it's going to be a track that drivers enjoy, which produces some great, close racing, and which fans will love.

"This is a new challenge and new opportunity. I'm definitely looking to be the first grand prix winner at the Circuit Of The Americas."

Designed by Hermann Tilke, the track boasts a remarkable 41-metre elevation change, with its peak the apex of turn one destined to become a signature corner in F1.

Beyond that, Tilke has taken elements of some of the sport's best-loved circuits and pieced them together jigsaw-style.

Initial impressions are positive as Hamilton's team-mate Jenson Button said: "It looks to have a little bit of everything.

"The plan-view looks familiar; you can see elements of the Maggotts/Becketts complex from Silverstone; there's a reverse of Istanbul Park's Turn Eight; and I can even see a bit of the Hockenheim, too."