The city of Austin revs up as the Formula 1 Pirelli United States Grand Prix returns to Circuit of the Americas this weekend. Racing enthusiasts and newcomers alike will be descending upon the track for a three-day spectacle of speed and spectacle.
For those planning on joining the throng, parking comes with a price – and a requisite pass. As reported by KXAN, official parking passes are now a must-buy for on-site parking which ranges from $180 to approximately $375 for the full weekend, park-and-ride options start at $40. Off-site, one can find park-and-ride services at Lot Q, where drivers can follow the map provided online by COTA to navigate the lots and services.
To ease congestion around the event, COTA will also offer shuttle services. These will run from downtown at Waterloo Park and from the northeast at Travis County Expo Center. The shuttles are part of COTA's plan to keep the Grand Prix as accessible and organized as possible, ready to ferry fans back and forth throughout the weekend, kicking off 60 minutes before the gates open each day.
Rideshare users aren't left out of the equation. According to COTA, there will be a designated pickup and drop-off spot at the North McAngus parking lot, due to COTA Boulevard being restricted to permitted vehicles and buses only, and from there, complimentary trams are available to deliver guests to the gates. ADA parking requires a state-issued disabled license placard or plate, and COTA urges those in need of ADA parking to request it while purchasing tickets.
Meanwhile, away from the roar of engines and the gleam of metal, Austin gears up for a week filled with events and afterparties that channel the city's verve into venues across its vibrant streets. CultureMap Austin has detailed several celebrations, from the reveal of Daniel Ricciardo's namesake lager at Meanwhile Brewing Co. to the launch of the second-ever Levi's x McLaren Racing fashion collection at Dark Horse.
Opportunities to meet F1 stars, experience themed parties, and witness a sartorial collaboration come to light reflect a city in celebration, not just of the race, but of its culture enmeshed with the sport's global pageantry. For the fans seeking more than just the thrill of the race, Hotel ZaZa's "F1 High Roller" package includes an inbound trip with style – helicopter transport to the track, offsetting the notorious race-day traffic woes.
Williams Racing will open its history and elements of its future to the public with an all-week Fan Zone, offering a treasure to the motor enthusiast's soul, while those wanting to indulge in grandeur can RSVP to Sports Illustrated's official afterparty or cap off their weekend with the beats of Vintage Culture at The Concourse Project.
With the engines ready to fire up at the Circuit of the Americas, Austin stands primed for a weekend of high-octane action, both on the track and off, as the city transforms into a vertiginous whirlwind of grand prix festivities.
