Little can compare to the feeling of the rumble in your throat when the rubber meets the road at a Formula One (F1) United States Grand Prix. The need for speed is undeniable for drivers who travel across the world to race in this mega international circuit. Austinites along with many travelers are about to experience that rush as F1 comes to Circuit of the Americas this November.
F1 is the highest class of single-seater auto racing sanctioned by the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) and owned by the Formula One Group. The FIA Formula One World Championship has been one of the premier forms of racing around the world since its inaugural season in 1950.
Circuit of The Americas is a champion destination for world-class motorsports and entertainment in the U.S. On 1,500 acres of rolling hills outside downtown Austin, Circuit of The Americas has hosted the biggest names in racing, action sports and music since 2012. At its core is a 3.31-mile racetrack that was designed to challenge the world’s most stringent competitors all while providing an extreme thrill experience for spectators.
A 20-turn, counterclockwise circuit around an aggressive 133-foot hill at Turn 1 must be seen to be believed. This track is home to the only F1 and MotoGP race in the U.S., the United States Grand Prix and Red Bull Grand Prix of The Americas–and has played host to ESPN’s X Games, the FIA World Endurance Championship, IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, Pirelli World Challenge and so much more. Austin360 Amphitheater is located within the track.
The largest permanent outdoor amphitheater in Central Texas, Austin360 has hosted some of the biggest music and entertainment names including Texas icon Willie Nelson, Jimmy Buffett, KISS, Nine Inch Nails, Kanye West, Maroon 5, and many others.
This dynamic event expects to draw a crowd of more than 200,000. F1 provides hospitality experiences that are unparalleled. On track you’ll see spectacular scenes as drivers take-off up towards Turn 1. Off track, feel the explosion that happens when F1 and the US collide.
At the center of this collision is the hospitality Paddock Club. Here you’ll rub shoulders with F1 legends as they prepare for lights out. You’ll have the opportunity to walk the pit lane to marvel at the race-ready cars. Every beast roar can be felt past the grid as you watch hectic pit stops in world-class hospitality.
According to sources, Paddock Club is where some of the world’s greatest business partnerships, deals and agreements have taken place. Previous attendees say there may be something in the air. Officials say it could be the extravagant champagne or simply the luxurious hospitality in a stunning location with a world racing event happening in their presence.
Every detail is obsessed over to ensure the perfect conditions at every circuit to enable legendary business writing. Experiences only available at F1 offer a laid back atmosphere in the middle of the world’s fastest thrill sport. Historically, legendary business has been written in this very spot.
Included in F1’s experiences are the opportunity to meet with some of the biggest names from the F1 world in a personal setting on Saturday or Sunday of the race weekend. During an executive Q&A session guests will have the opportunity to learn the inner workings and day-to-day operations. Spectators will have more than just memories to take home as exclusive gifts are included along with a race program that details all of the events during the race weekend.
“Wow! What can I say, what a tremendous success from start to finish. Thank you to all the F1 Experiences staff-my kids and I loved every minute of it,” a visitor of the 2019 British Grand Prix said. Another said, “Thank you to all the staff that made our experience at the 2019 Canadian Grand Prix a once in a lifetime. We had a fabulous time in Montreal and would do it again in a heartbeat.”
In Austria a guest commented, “My husband and I had the most incredible experience. I can’t stop raving about the overall experience. The Paddock Club staff were AMAZING! There was not one employee that was not smiling, which says a lot when catering to that many people/personalities and still carry on with a smile.”
PiNK! and Imagine Dragons will both honor the Amphitheater and make their mark performing during F1. Grammy-winning superstars, both acts will be featured during the F1 United States Grand Prix. Imagine Dragons will play on Friday, November 1 with PiNK! following on Saturday.
With a double-platinum 2000 debut album “Can’t Take Me Home,” Pennsylvania native PiNK! Has sold more than 40 million albums across seven releases, with chart-topping singles. A new album “Hurts 2B Human” is set to release in April of 2020.
Las Vegas originals, Imagine Dragons are Grammy recipients for Best Rock Performance with “Radioactive” from their 2012 debut album “Night Visions”. Performing during halftime of this year’s NCAA football championship game in January, the band also played Austin360 Amphitheater in August of 2018.
Private suite options at Circuit of the Americas include Turn 13 Trackside Suites; Turn 13 Skyboxes; Main Grandstand Suites; and the Main Grandstand Loge Box.
For more information visit www.f1experiences.com or www.circuitoftheamericas.com.
By Michelle Keller