Austin GP: America’s Iconic Formula 1® Race

Formula 1® fans know the name: Circuit of the Americas (COTA). It’s more than just a track, it's a monumental symbol of F1's permanent foothold in the United States, providing the high-stakes drama and iconic moments that helped define the sport.

As we dive into the rich history of the Austin GP and explore what makes COTA one of the greatest modern circuits in the world, remember that the thrill of Formula 1® racing is always closer than you think. Whether you're tracking the history of the sport or just looking to put your own skills to the test, F1® Arcade offers the ultimate way to experience the high-octane thrill. It’s the perfect place to battle it out on our full-motion racing simulators while enjoying a delicious menu and themed cocktails.

Why Austin Matters: The First Permanent Home of F1® in the U.S

Americans have always had an appetite for Formula 1®, now more than ever with two more venues, Miami and Las Vegas, introduced into the racing calendar in the past three years. Sadly, the racing events at Sebring, Moreno Valley, Long Beach, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, and others never got a foothold. The US has never had an equivalent of Monaco, Silverstone or Monza – a constant fixture on the calendar.

That all changed in 2012, when the newly-opened Circuit of the Americas hosted the Austin GP for the first time. Thirteen years later, F1® in Austin, Texas still attracts huge crowds and has become a favorite of fans and drivers alike.

The Austin GP, officially known as the FORMULA 1® MSC CRUISES UNITED STATES GRAND PRIX™, runs between October 17th and 19th in 2025, with the circus returning to what is shaping up to be a thrilling climax to the season. Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri have traded wins all year, but Max Verstappen has been breathing down their necks, and isn’t out of contention just yet. Could Austin be a pivotal race in the season for Oracle Red Bull Racing, or will the McLaren Formula 1 Team use it to extend their lead?

What’s So Special About the Circuit of the Americas?

Some circuits mark themselves out as being special, and the Circuit of the Americas is one of them. The mix of fast straights and intricate corners is always a head-scratcher for race engineers and strategists looking to find the optimum setup.

Drivers have to be perfect over 20 corners and two crucial straights, with blind crests, snaking sections and hairpins keeping them on their toes. The 133-foot elevation at the end of the start/finish straight is truly iconic, and marks the first of the hairpins. When the cars bunch up here on cold tires after lights out, anything can happen.

The drivers then have to negotiate an endless complex of lefts and rights, until they reach the crucial hairpin at Turn 11. Get this right and they’ll be carrying maximum acceleration and speed along the 1090-yard straight, perhaps with a chance to overtake. Get it wrong and they could be swallowed whole by the driver behind them. After this, there’s a complex section of tight curves before heading back over the line.

COTA hosts around 15 race events a year, on both, two and four wheels. It’s also a venue for music and entertainment, and unlike many circuits, it’s pretty close to the metropolis. It all drives home its popularity among Austinites, and explains why the atmosphere is always electric.

Iconic Austin GP Moments to Remember

The Austin GP always produces surprises, with small mistakes being punished mercilessly by the pack. We’ve had Fernando Alonso almost going airborne after colliding with Lance Stroll in 2022, and Sebastian Vettel side-swiping Daniel Ricciardo in 2018 (but coming worse off as a result).

The most memorable Austin experiences have been racing masterclasses. The slugfest between Lewis Hamilton and pole-sitter Vettel in Austin’s inaugural 2012 race is legendary. Lewis pressured Sebastian for the whole race, before finally taking him with 12 laps to go. 2024’s epic scrap between Verstappen and Norris was a thrilling advertisement for the sport, with Max finally winning after Lando had no choice but to go past track limits to get ahead. Lando’s penalty decided it, but it was a thrill to watch everything unfold.

Watch the Austin GP in Style: Join the F1® Arcade Watch Party

If you’re lucky, you might get to experience a race from trackside. But at F1® Arcade, we’ve got the next best thing: a local watch party where you can enjoy the action with delicious food, themed cocktails and our famous racing simulators where you can go head-to-head with other fans.

Everyone who comes to one of our watch parties knows they’re with friends. You don’t have to be an avid fan either—there’s plenty of fun for everyone. Watching the race surrounded by fun and thrills is how fans love to spend their Sundays in Washington, DC, Boston, Las Vegas, Philadelphia, and Denver. Are you local? Come along!