F1 in Texas: The American race that fans love to attend
Ars spends the weekend with the Audi Revolut F1 team at the Circuit of the Americas.
Ars spends the weekend with the Audi Revolut F1 team at the Circuit of the Americas.
The short version
- AUSTIN, Texas—Formula 1 returned to US shores this weekend with its annual visit to the Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas.
- Once in danger of falling off the calendar due to lack of interest, it’s now one of the most popular tracks on the calendar and, of the US’s three races, it’s the one the real fans mostly attend.
- Unlike Miami or Las Vegas, which race on temporary street circuits, COTA is a permanent race track with plenty of run-off areas instead of concrete walls.
What happened
It’s changed a lot since I attended the first USGP back in 2012. The grassy banks that surround the track are now covered in hospitality structures, including one connected to the paddock building by cable car, complete with not one but two swimming pools.
Why it matters
Along its fringes, the skyline is now studded with rollercoasters and amusement rides, part of COTA’s diversification strategy that combines theme park, concert venue, and, of course, a place to race.
Summary by Nerd News Network. Read the full article at Ars Technica via the links above and below.