Grand prix of the United States - Watkins Glen New York 1976

This powerful 1976 original poster by Michael Turner, created for the United States Grand Prix at Watkins Glen, is a vivid tribute to the golden age of Formula One in the 1970s, when speed, danger, and glamour converged on legendary circuits. Watkins Glen, often called “The Glen,” had by this time established itself as the spiritual home of American Formula One racing, and this poster captures both the intensity of the competition and the prestige of the event.

The composition plunges the viewer directly into the action. Dominating the foreground, a Marlboro-liveried Formula One car surges through a corner, its wide tires and low, aggressive profile emphasizing raw power and mechanical precision. Behind it, rival cars in contrasting colors fight for position, creating a layered sense of depth and motion. Turner’s painterly technique—combining sharp detail on the leading car with looser, more expressive brushwork in the background—conveys speed, vibration, and the barely controlled chaos of top-level motorsport.

Color plays a crucial role in the impact of the image. The bright reds, blues, and whites of the cars stand out against the blurred track and crowd, evoking both national identity and commercial sponsorship, inseparable from Formula One in this era. The scene is not a static portrait but a snapshot of a fleeting moment, echoing the split-second decisions that define racing at this level.

The lower section of the poster anchors the spectacle with clear, modern typography announcing the 1976 Grand Prix of the United States, Watkins Glen, New York, October 10. This balance between expressive illustration and precise information is characteristic of high-quality motorsport posters of the period, designed to excite, inform, and commemorate.

Today, this poster is more than an advertisement—it is a historical document of 1970s Formula One, reflecting both the visual language of the era and the cultural importance of Watkins Glen on the international racing calendar. It stands as a dynamic celebration of speed, competition, and the artistry that transformed motorsport into enduring graphic imagery.

Original Poster

Sport - Automobile - United States

Good condition