US Grand Prix in Austin: 2022 Travel Guide

CIRCUIT OF THE AMERICAS SET A THREE-DAY F1 RACE RECORD in 2021 WITH 400,000 FANS ATTENDING. (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images)

F1’s Annual Visit to Austin Gets Bigger Every Year

As Red Bull’s Max Verstappen continues his relentless march toward a repeat World Drivers’ Championship, the growing base of U.S. Formula 1 fans will get their chance to see the young Dutch driver next month at the U.S. Grand Prix at the Circuit of The Americas (COTA) located on the outskirts of Austin, Texas. This year’s race will mark 10 years at COTA and will run October 21-23 will a full slate of on-track and off-track entertainment. If you are looking to enjoy the big race weekend in Austin, Air Charter Guide has you covered on the best charter companies serving North America. In the meantime, here’s our list of six things you need to know for the 2022 United States Grand Prix.

1) FRONT ROW

Since the introduction of the race in 2012, all race winners have started from first or second on the grid. So, from a historical perspective, qualifying on Saturday for that front row is as important as race day performance. Will we get a surprise winner this year?

2) REPEAT WINS

Only Lewis Hamilton has been able to repeat at COTA and he has a total of five wins at the circuit (2012, 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017). Verstappen got his first win last year in Austin and looks likely for a repeat in 2022. Other winners include Kimi Raikkonen, Sebastian Vettel and Valteri Bottas.

3) HEADLINERS

CATCH GREEN DAY AFTER THE PRACTICE SESSIONS ON FRIDAY EVENING. Photo by Josh Brasted/FilmMagic.

ED SHEERAN WILL HEADLINE THE SATURDAY NIGHT CONCERT. Photo by Joseph Okpako/WireImage.

Austin is well-known as the “Live Music City Capital of the World,” so COTA has got the music covered for your time at the track. Seven stages will be hosting a full slate of performers with Green Day headlining on Friday night and Ed Sheeran on Saturday night, both on COTA’s Germania Insurance Super Stage.

“These superstar performers are for the fans, as the tickets are already almost sold out. We want the United States Grand Prix to be the greatest sports and entertainment event, along with the best ticket value, in the world,” says Bobby Epstein, COTA Chairman. “With 20 other bands, these headliners round out a spectacular weekend festival of racing, music, camping and fun.”

4) IN AUSTIN: RAINEY STREET

Austin’s bar scene is legendary, but for our money, the best district is absolutely Rainey Street. The historic small neighborhood was once a residential area populated by pre-1934 bungalows. Located near downtown, the street was rezoned as a business district in 2004 and the first bar opened in 2009. However, the developers kept the neighborhood vibe by utilizing the existing bungalow units to produce a backyard and porch bar district that is distinctly unique. Check out this list of bars to visit and watch the video to get a real taste of Rainey Street.

5) RECORDS ARE MADE TO BE BROKEN

Verstappen is cruising through the 2022 season and already has 11 wins out 16. He’s already smashed the record for podiums this year beating the 2021 mark of 18. Now, he’s tracking down the single-season race record of 13 wins held by Michael Schumacher and Sebastian Vettel. Right now, he’s on a five-race win streak and Formula 1 fans feel like only a DNF can stop him from extending that streak to the end of the year. Ferrari fans think Singapore might the opportunity for Charles LeClerc or Carlos Sainz to snatch a win for the Prancing Horse. After that Suzaka is on deck, but that track certainly seems to favor Red Bull. So most likely, the streak continues and if it does, Verstappen will break the win record at COTA.

RED BULL’S Max Verstappen WON the 2021 US GRAND PRIX ON HIS WAY TO HIS FIRST WORLD DRIVER’S CHAMPIONSHIP LAST YEAR (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images)

6) WORLD DRIVERS’ CHAMPIONSHIP

At this point, it’s not whether or not Verstappen will win the World Drivers’ Championship … it’s when will he clinch it. He currently holds a staggering 116-point lead over Ferrari’s LeClerc, so the countdown is on. Right now, Singapore or Suzuka seems more likely, but if there are any stumbles during over the next few weeks, Austin could be celebrating the win with Verstappen and Red Bull.

FINAL THOUGHTS

Don’t forget when the checkered flag drops and the winners take their place on the podium. You’re invited to rush the track, take in the residual warmth from the rubber on the road, and get up close to celebrate. There will be a surprise celebrity DJ to make the party happen on the track this year.