The United States Grand Prix took place last weekend in Austin, and I had the amazing opportunity to attend this year. As a native Texan and a massive motorsports fan, it’s safe to say I was pretty excited.
Courtesy of Gracie Stubblefield.
Free practice 1 and sprint qualifying started on Friday. The atmosphere at the track was electric, as fans all over were ready to see the cars on track for the first time. That first day, I was in the grandstands at Turn 9, the perfect view of the esses and a great view of the cars from a close glance.
It was a bit of a hike to get to Turn 9, but it was well worth it. Seeing the cars driving in person for the first time was an experience I’ll never forget, especially due to the noise. Even with a hybrid engine, the noise level is unbelievable.
As free practice 1 doesn’t give much information into which teams and drivers are best on track, sprint qualifying was what I was anticipating the most during the first day. The cars are at their fastest during qualifying rounds, which was obvious from the grandstands.
Moving on to the actual sprint race, it was an incredible sight. Seeing the cars battling each other for the first time was like nothing I had ever seen, including other motorsports races in the past.
Max Verstappen took his first win since Spain during the sprint. While it wasn’t an official race, Red Bull fans all around were celebrating their return to the top. From the results of this race, it was expected that Verstappen and the team would be back on their usual form for the rest of the weekend.
Qualifying was only a few hours after the sprint race, so I took some time to explore COTA and everything it had to offer. There are so many different experiences at this circuit for fans to enjoy, and I had a lot of fun looking around at all of the sights.
The incredible views at COTA. Courtesy of Gracie Stubblefield.
If you’re worried about not dressing the part, there are multiple merch stores scattered throughout the track, but it will come at a hefty price. Merch from the teams is not a bargain in Austin, but it’s a way to get gear quickly.
There are so many options in terms of food, with many different local vendors from the area to choose from. While I didn’t eat a lot at the track during the weekend, I did have some amazing loaded nachos from Culinary Cowgirls that I would recommend.
While I already got to see a qualifying session for the sprint race on Friday, the session for the Grand Prix was entirely different. The drivers are willing to risk a lot more and push the limits of the car and themselves during qualifying, and it was incredible to witness.
George Russell was unlucky during qualifying, as he crashed at Turn 19, ending the session early. The on-track battle for fastest lap between Lando Norris and Verstappen was gearing up, but Norris took pole position following Russell’s crash.
I was at Turn 19 when the incident happened, and it was nothing like you see on TV. Seeing a car spin out into the wall was a scary moment, but luckily, Russell was unharmed, even though he was visibly frustrated when he hit the halo on top of his car after getting out.
With Norris, Verstappen, and Carlos Sainz as the top three qualifiers, there was much to be expected for the race ahead. COTA is a track known for its intense racing and multiple overtaking opportunities, so it was anyone’s race on Sunday.
Getting to and from the track can be a little difficult on Saturday and Sunday, as the circuit itself is about 30 minutes from central Austin. However, with the shuttles that I opted for, I seemed to have a much easier time than if I had parked. It will cost a pretty penny, but it’s worth it to save some extra time.
By the time the main event on Sunday came around, I don’t know if I’ve ever been more excited for a sporting event. I’ve been to so many sports games in my life, but there is nothing quite like the high-speed thrill of the cars and the fan atmosphere in Formula 1.
Turn 1 at COTA is famous, mainly due to the 133-foot hill at the beginning of the track, and it didn’t disappoint at the race start. Despite starting in P4, Charles Leclerc managed to push past Norris and Verstappen to lead the race. As a Ferrari and McLaren fan, my emotions were a little conflicting.
The views from Turn 19. Courtesy of Gracie Stubblefield.
The battle between Norris and Verstappen was extremely intense, with the Dutch driver ultimately claiming the final podium spot. Norris received a penalty, putting him behind in fourth, missing out on extra points for the title fight.
One of the unique aspects of the Austin track involves the podium celebration. After the race ended, I was able to storm the track and run over directly to the podium to see the drivers celebrate, and it was unbelievable. The Tifosi came out in full force for the celebrations, including myself.
As a massive Carlos Sainz fan, it was a great weekend for me. Getting to see the drivers up close on the podium was surreal, especially while standing on the track they drove on only moments before.
Getting to see a race in person was an unforgettable experience, and I’m so grateful to have been able to be a small part of it. Texas is my home state, so it was an extremely special moment in time, and I hope to be able to go back again next year.
Edited by Reese Dlabach
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