Since 2012 Austin has been the only Formula 1 stop in the US since Circuit of the Americas first opened it’s door over 10 years ago. Just recently there have been more Formula 1 stops added to other cities, including a race on the Vegas Strip. It has been a huge success and has helped elevate Austin in the sports and tourism stature. The Track is now home to numerous other events, including a NASCAR stop.and is an outstanding music venue throughout the year. The Formula 1 race is still the premier event at this world class track each year.
Formula 1 tickets
The big race is on Sunday, but the track has events going on Friday and Saturday; Including practice sessions and qualifying, You can get tickets to Friday and Saturday for pretty cheap. The Sunday General Admission tickets are also typically under $100. Nice tickets can be crazy expensive. The track area is several square miles in size, and has a handful of different large sets of stands throughout the complex.
Track Design: The circuit was designed by Hermann Tilke with input from American firm HKS. It features dramatic elevation changes and iconic corners inspired by other legendary tracks like Silverstone and Hockenheim. COTA became the first purpose-built F1 facility in the U.S. and helped re-establish the sport’s presence in North America.
Formula 1 United States Grand Prix winners at the Circuit of the Americas in Austin since its debut in 2012
| Year | Winner | Team |
|---|---|---|
| 2012 | Lewis Hamilton | McLaren-Mercedes |
| 2013 | Sebastian Vettel | Red Bull-Renault |
| 2014 | Lewis Hamilton | Mercedes |
| 2015 | Lewis Hamilton | Mercedes |
| 2016 | Lewis Hamilton | Mercedes |
| 2017 | Lewis Hamilton | Mercedes |
| 2018 | Kimi Räikkönen | Ferrari |
| 2019 | Valtteri Bottas | Mercedes |
| 2021 | Max Verstappen | Red Bull-Honda |
| 2022 | Max Verstappen | Red Bull-RBPT |
| 2023 | Max Verstappen | Red Bull-Honda |
Fastest Lap Times at Circuit of the Americas
- Fastest race lap: Charles Leclerc – 1:36.169 (2019)
- Fastest qualifying lap: Lando Norris – 1:32.330 (2024)
🎯 Pole Position Winners (Recent Highlights)
| Year | Pole Winner | Team | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Lando Norris | McLaren-Mercedes | 1:32.330 |
| 2023 | Charles Leclerc | Ferrari | — |
| 2022 | Carlos Sainz | Ferrari | — |
Dramatic Moments at Austin
Here are some unforgettable highlights from past races:
- 2015: Lewis Hamilton clinched his third world title in a rain-soaked thriller.
- 2018: Kimi Räikkönen broke a 113-race winless streak with a masterclass drive for Ferrari.
- 2021: Max Verstappen held off Hamilton in a nail-biting finish to take the win.
- 2023: Verstappen again dominated, despite starting from P6, showcasing Red Bull’s strategic brilliance.
History of Formula 1 Racing
Formula 1, officially launched in 1950, is the premier global motorsport championship, born from decades of European Grand Prix racing and formalized by the FIA after World War II. The first race at Silverstone marked the beginning of a high-speed saga, with legends like Juan Manuel Fangio dominating the 1950s and technological revolutions reshaping the sport through the decades. The 1960s and 70s saw the rise of rear-engine cars, commercial sponsorships, and fierce rivalries, while the 1980s turbo era brought unforgettable battles like Prost vs. Senna. In the 1990s and 2000s, Formula 1 expanded worldwide, and Michael Schumacher’s reign with Ferrari set new records. The 2010s ushered in hybrid power units and Mercedes’ dominance led by Lewis Hamilton, who equaled Schumacher’s seven titles. More recently, Max Verstappen and Red Bull have taken center stage, redefining performance in the modern era. Alongside the racing, F1 has evolved into a cultural and technological phenomenon, blending cutting-edge engineering, global fandom, and dramatic storytelling, all while pushing the limits of speed, safety, and spectacle.
