Grand prix of the United States - Watkins Glen New York 1972

This powerful 1972 original poster by Michael Turner, created for the United States Grand Prix at Watkins Glen, is a vivid celebration of Formula One at the height of its classic era. By the early 1970s, Watkins Glen had firmly established itself as America’s most important Formula One venue, and Turner’s artwork perfectly conveys the intensity, speed, and prestige associated with the event.

The composition places the viewer directly behind the racing cars as they surge through a sweeping bend of the circuit. The low angle and close framing emphasize the massive rear tires, exposed engines, and aerodynamic bodywork, immersing the spectator in the physical presence of the machines. Rather than depicting a static moment, Turner captures the race as a continuous flow of motion, with each car leaning into the corner and the track itself seeming to curve and vibrate beneath them.

Turner’s painterly technique is central to the poster’s impact. Broad, expressive brushstrokes suggest blurred asphalt, drifting rubber, and the rush of air, while sharper detailing on the cars anchors the scene in realism. The contrast between cool grays and blues of the track and the warm reds and ochres of the surrounding landscape heightens the sense of speed and drama, evoking both the mechanical force of the cars and the autumn setting often associated with Watkins Glen.

The typography is clean and authoritative, announcing “1972 Grand Prix of the United States – Watkins Glen, New York – October 8” without distracting from the artwork. It situates the image clearly in time and place, reinforcing the poster’s role not only as advertising but also as a historical record of a major international sporting event.

Today, this poster is widely regarded as a classic of motorsport graphic art. It stands as both a document of Formula One’s golden age in America and a testament to Michael Turner’s ability to transform the raw energy of racing into a dynamic and enduring visual composition.

Original Poster

Sport - Automobile - United States

Good condition