Race Ready: United States F1 Schedule and Travel Guide

Welcome to the Race Ready for the United States F1 Grand Prix, taking place in Austin, from 23-25 October 2026.

We’re here to ensure you have all the information available at your fingertips to enable you to get the most out of your live motorsport experience.

Sign up for 2026 US Grand Prix ticket alerts here.

Table of Contents

Sign up for 2026 US Grand Prix ticket alerts here.

FRIDAY 23 OCTOBER

SATURDAY 24 OCTOBER

SUNDAY 25 OCTOBER

Music Acts at the United States Grand Prix

Getting to COTA by car

Getting to COTA by taxi

Getting to COTA by Shuttle

Emergencies

Good to Know

Customer Service

FAQs

Austin F1 weekend schedule

A visit to COTA, a circuit like no other, is on the radar on any motorhead. An all-American experience in the sunny south is the perfect way to enjoy a Formula 1 Grand Prix. Here is the Austin F1 schedule, in both local and UK time.

Note: The schedule below is from the 2025 edition, as the 2026 schedule has not been officially confirmed yet.

FRIDAY 23 OCTOBER

LOCAL TIME (GMT-5) | UK TIME (GMT+1) | SERIES | SESSION
12:30 | 18:30 | FORMULA 1 | FIRST PRACTICE SESSION
13:45 | 19:45 | FORMULA 1 | PIRELLI HOT LAPS
14:35 | 20:35 | PORSCHE CARRERA CUP NORTH AMERICA | PRACTICE SESSION
16:30 | 22:30 | FORMULA 1 | SPRINT QUALIFYING

SATURDAY 24 OCTOBER

LOCAL TIME (GMT-5) | UK TIME (GMT+1) | SERIES | SESSION
09:45 | 15:45 | PORSCHE CARRERA CUP NORTH AMERICA | QUALIFYING SESSION
12:00 | 18:00 | FORMULA 1 | SPRINT RACE
12:50 | 18:50 | FORMULA 1 | PIRELLI HOT LAPS
12:40 | 20:40 | PORSCHE CARRERA CUP NORTH AMERICA | FIRST RACE
16:00 | 22:00 | FORMULA 1 | QUALIFYING SESSION

SUNDAY 25 OCTOBER

LOCAL TIME (GMT-5) | UK TIME (GMT+1) | SERIES | SESSION
11:00 | 17:00 | PORSCHE CARRERA CUP NORTH AMERICA | SECOND RACE
12:30 | 18:30 | FORMULA 1 | PIRELLI HOT LAPS
14:00 | 20:00 | FORMULA 1 | QUALIFYING SESSION

Support races at the United States F1 Grand Prix

The days at the Circuit of the Americas in Austin will start with Masters Endurance Legends and Masters Historic sessions. The Porsche Carrera Cup North America will also be held alongside the F1 Grand Prix, but there will be no F2 or F3 racing.

Music Acts at the United States Grand Prix

As if the on-track action wasn’t enough, included in the price of your race ticket are the circuit concerts – the 2025 line-up included Kygo, Garth Brooks and the Turnpike Troubadours! Who will take to the stage in 2026?

Check out loads of great activities to make your trip even more special at Visit Austin.

Image: Circuit of the Americas

Circuit of the Americas Circuit Map

Use our track map to plan your trip as best you can. You can download the image or take a screenshot to have it to hand during the Grand Prix weekend.

Where is the best place to sit at the United States F1 Grand Prix?

It is essential to have your priorities in order when planning your trip to a Formula 1 Grand Prix. Use the map above to help you in your planning.

Our handy COTA Grandstand Guide will help make sure you find the right vantage point for the Austin Grand Prix.

Circuit of the Americas: Grandstand guide for F1 and MotoGP in Austin

COTA Track Stats

Circuit of the Americas | TRACK STATS
FIRST GRAND PRIX | 2012
LAP LENGTH | 5.513 km
LAP RECORD | 1:36.169 Charles Leclerc (2019)
LAPS | 56
RACE DISTANCE | 308.405km
TURNS | 20

Getting to COTA for the United States Grand Prix

The Circuit of the Americas has fast become a legendary track on the Formula 1 calendar. Since its completion in 2012, fans have flocked to watch live motorsports as Formula 1 especially has seen an increase in popularity in the United States in recent years.

Once you’ve arrived in Austin, Texas, you’ll need to start planning how to get to the circuit, which sits around 15 miles (24km) south of the city.

It’s not the most well-connected circuit. Since 2022, the organisers have gone to extra effort to increase the number of shuttles, but the best way to get there is still by car.

Getting to COTA by car

If you intend to drive, in your own car or a hired one, there are around eight parking sites at the Circuit of the Americas as it is the most popular way to get to the US Grand Prix. Parking should be bought in advance and can be booked on the COTA site.

Drivers should be aware of the likelihood of bad traffic on race days.

Getting to COTA by taxi

Lyft and Uber are very commonly used apps across the United States. It is well worth booking in advance to avoid disappointment and a shortage of cars over the race weekend.

Getting to COTA by Shuttle

The shuttle is the best way to get to the circuit if you don’t have, or don’t want to hire a car.

There are three pick up points – note all tickets should be bought in advance.

Downtown (Red River Street) – weekend passes cost $129 and one-day passes cost $45. The pick up & drop off point is Red River Street, adjacent to Waterloo Park/Moody Amphitheater. These shuttles drop off at the track just outside the Grand Plaza gates on COTA Boulevard.

Northeast Austin (Travis County Expo Center) – weekend passes cost $89 and one-day passes cost $29. The pick up & drop off point is the Travis County Expo Center.

Southwest Austin (Barton Creek Square Mall) – Only on Saturday & Sunday. One-day passes cost $45. The pick up and drop off point is located close to JCPenney.

Important Information

Emergencies

911 is the general emergency number

Good to Know

The local currency is the US Dollar (USD – $). The exchange rate is around 1 GBP to 1.34 USD. All goods and services are paid in the local currency.

The official language is English.

Prohibited Items at the United States Grand Prix.