Looking for an adrenaline-filled experience? If you’re in Austin, Texas, don’t forget to visit The Circuit of Americas for an enthralling Formula One experience. The Circuit of Americas (COTA) is a world-class destination for motorsports and entertainment in the U.S.
Located on the outskirts of Austin, The Circuit of Americas is situated on 1,500 acres of undulating hills. Formula One racing returned to the U.S. for the first time in 2012 since 2007 and was held at the spanking new venue, Circuit of Americas in Austin, Texas. The race track was a custom-built F1 facility in the United States created for all classes and types of racing. It was officially inaugurated on October 21, 2012, by Mario Andretti, the F1 World Champion and COTA ambassador.
Since the year of launch, this state-of-the-art circuit has hosted some of the greatest names in action sports, racing and music. The 3.41-mile racing circuit has been designed and created by Hermann Tilke to put the world’s most challenging competitors to test and also provides electrifying experiences for the audiences.
The anticlockwise circuit with a 20-turn follows the defying curves of the naturally sloping and rolling landscape and the daunting 133 ft. hill at turn 1 must be seen to be believed. The construction of The Circuit of Americas has been inspired by the designs of some of the best racing tracks around the world. Turns 3 to 6 are very similar to Silverstone’s super-fast Becketts/Maggotts. The turns 12-15 are like the section at the Hockenheim Stadium and the turns 16-18 are replicas of the famed multi-apex Turn 8 at Istanbul Park.
The Circuit of Americas is home to the only Formula 1 racing in America i.e. the United States Grand Prix and also hosts other renowned events such as the MotoGP, ESPN’s X Games, IMSA WeatherTech and FIA World Endurance Championship.
The construction of the Circuit of The Americas started in 2010 and today, COTA contributes billions of dollars to Central Texas through the revenues from tourism and operations of the Circuit. The Austin Grand Prix was launched as a means to educate and involve the fans of motorsports and business organizations while capitalizing on the impact of the Formula One Grand Prix in the city of Austin.
About F1 Racing
F1 Racing has been the pinnacle of motorsport racing for the last 65 years and has thrilled audiences across the globe. The heritage of F1 Racing is associated with excellence, precision, innovation and of course, oodles of glamor. F1 Racing has introduced to the world some historic legends and provided several moments of high-octane action-on-wheels. Formula 1 Racing is indeed the extreme test of man and machine and pushes them to their limits to achieve the greatest speeds, where even 1000th of a second makes all the difference.
Formula 1 in Austin
The Grand Prix in the United States dates way back to the 1900s and after many changes in the venues of the races, The Circuit of Americas has finally become home to the Formula One in the United States. The race is held in November every year and world-class drivers from all over the world come together to participate in this weekend of adrenalin-pumping action. The aerodynamics of the machines and the supersonic speeds contribute to the uniqueness and thrill of F1, to make it a class apart from other racing events that are held all across the world.
The Austin F1 is guaranteed to provide non-stop thrilling racing action from the time the drivers navigate the circuit’s 133 ft. signature climb and power up their engines when navigating the hairpin turns of the race track. At speeds of up to 220 mph, you are sure to witness racing form and skill at its peak.
While you are at the race, don’t forget to catch up on the amazing pit stop action, where you can see the fantastic crews in action, changing the car tires in just 3-4 seconds.
Mingle with other fellow racing fans, first-timers, movie and TV stars, professional athletes and of course the racing stars at the venue.
Austin360 Amphitheater
Apart from hosting sportscar championships and other events, the track contains the Austin360 Amphitheater, which is the largest permanent amphitheater that is located outdoors. The unique feature of this amphitheater is its 251 ft. observation tower. The amphitheater has hosted some of the most famous and renowned names in music and entertainment history such as KISS, Kayne West, Jimmy Buffett, Nine Inch Nails, Maroon 5, Drake, Kelly Clarkson, Kenny Chesney and the Texas music icon Willie Nelson. The Austin360 Amphitheater is indeed the jewel in the Live Music Capital of the World’s crown. It is a very new and clean venue with roll off dumpsters located on premises.
Facilities at the Circuit of Americas
The Circuit of Americas can accommodate over 100,000 spectators in the natural seating areas, semi-permanent stands and the grandstands.
The venue also has:
- A medical facility
- A banquet hall
- A conference center
- 14 executive meeting suites
- A sprawling open-air live music space
There are plans to introduce facilities like a kart track, driving experience, motorsports driving club and a recreational vehicle park in the future.
Undoubtedly, Formula 1 racing in Austin is one of the most exciting, glamorous and prestigious motor racing event in the world. For an experience and rush you’re not likely to forget easily, visit The Circuit of Americas for an F1 race event, where exhilaration is guaranteed.