If you’ve never experienced F1 in Austin, you need to get in on the action! It’s a fast-paced week filled with high octane events, culminating in one of the best racing experiences in the country.
Here are 5 of the best things about F1 in Austin!
The Parties and Pop-Ups
Events begin early in the week and last throughout race weekend. In 2022, Williams Racing hosted a pop-up for fans on Congress Avenue downtown. Patron hosted a handful of parties open to the public at Soho House on Music Lane. Danica Patrick hosted a happy hour to launch her candle collection. And the weekend/ season championship team Red Bull opened a Fan Zone at Fair Market featuring attractions like a static Red Bull Racing Car, Red Bull Racing Simulators, official merch, Red Bull cocktails, and a Formula One watch party on Saturday for qualifying and Sunday for the main event.
The Music
Some of the most talked about events featured big name music acts. There’s the music out at COTA, of course. Headliners for this year’s event were Green Day, Ed Sheeran, and Interpol. In town, there are also a slew of music events. Williams Racing presented DJ Cassidy Pass the Mic Live with special guests Robin Thicke, Shaggy and Wyclef Jean. Bootsy Bellows and Sports Illustrated brought back the Circuit Series After Party with The Kid LAROI, Zedd, and Post Malone. The Fairmont hosted Austin Race Nights with The Chainsmokers and Marshmello.
The Fan Experience
Out at the track, there were plenty of things to keep fans busy between track sessions. Fans enjoyed free cake at a 30 foot cake display, photo ops, ice sculpting, axe throwing, lucha libre wrestling, vendors, games, and rides! There are also biergartens, cantinas, sponsor suites, and so much more! We stopped by the Club Cash App tent for a VIP viewing experience at turn 17.
The Celebrities
The celebrity sightings are always abundant on race week. From the drivers, to the A-list performers to all of the famous fans, celebs were spotted all over the city and, of course, in the paddock on race day! The most talked about person at the track was most definitely Brad Pitt. He is starring in a film about Formula 1 so we can only assume he was doing some research at the big event. Other stars we spotted include: Will Arnett, Scott Eastwood, John Legend, Shaq, Pharrel Williams, and many more. Check out the full list here.
The Race
And then there’s the big event. This year it was really big as Red Bull not only celebrated Max Verstappen’s championship title he clinched at the previous race, but the Red Bull team also claimed the constructor championship while at COTA. Verstappen also took the podium at the USGP in 2021, overtaking fan favorite Lewis Hamilton.
