Austin’s permanent circuit keeps US Grand Prix fans coming back
The United States Grand Prix at Austin’s Circuit of the Americas has grown from a race once at risk of leaving the calendar into one of F1’s most popular venues. Its permanent circuit, varied corners and elevation changes offer a different experience from the temporary street tracks in Miami and Las Vegas, drawing fans who come specifically for the racing.
Since the first US Grand Prix there in 2012, COTA has added landscaping, hospitality facilities, pools and amusement rides, while the track layout has stayed the same. The surface has become bumpier in the Texas weather, especially in three braking zones where the movement can affect cars and gear changes. Audi racing director Allan McNish said the bumps create challenges, but the circuit is the same for every team.
In short
- Austin’s COTA has become a favourite among F1 fans.
- Its permanent track offers varied corners and elevation changes.
- Bumps in three braking zones can unsettle cars.
Explained simply
Formula One is a global motor racing championship in which teams compete at circuits around the world. The United States Grand Prix is one of its races, held at the Circuit of the Americas, or COTA, near Austin, Texas.
COTA opened for its first Grand Prix in 2012 and was purpose-built for racing. Its twists, hills and permanent track layout distinguish it from street circuits, which use roads normally open to traffic; the United States also hosts races in Miami and Las Vegas.
The circuit is run by its organisers, while Formula One teams design and race their cars under shared rules. The track’s shape and surface can influence how drivers and cars handle a race, making COTA’s character part of what attracts fans and challenges teams.
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Originally published by Ars Technica as “F1 in Texas: The American race that fans love to attend”.