Circuit of the Americas: Grandstand guide for F1, MotoGP and NASCAR

Circuit of the Americas is the ultimate racing venue in the United States. Host not only to the United States Formula 1 Grand Prix and the American MotoGP round, but soon NASCAR will race at COTA.

While series such as IndyCar have raced at some of the USA’s iconic circuits, F1 and MotoGP have rarely made races stick in the US. That was until COTA was created. Combining some of the greatest corners from other circuits, the track has some of the season’s greatest action zones.

But the way the circuit is built on a steep incline lends many of COTA’s grandstands to having epic, panoramic views of several corners. None less so than the turn 15 grandstand, which has an unprecedented view of 15 of the 20 grandstands.

As tickets go on sale for the 2021 United States Grand Prix, here’s our complete guide to all of the grandstands at Austin’s Circuit of the Americas.

Circuit of the Americas Grandstand Guide

Main Grandstand

Seat type: Comfortable chairs with seat backs and cup holders
Big screen: Yes
Covered: Yes (mezzanine only)
Numbered seating: Yes
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The main grandstand at Circuit of the Americas has four levels: trackside bleachers; the Lower tier; the Mezzanine; and Club level. All three are great to soak up the pre-race atmosphere, as the hype builds before the race. The United States Grand Prix is known for attracting the rich and famous, so people-watching during the grid walk is a must.

During the race, the Main Grandstand provides the chance for fans to peer into the pitlane. When COTA was built, the pit lane was created wider than its European counterparts to allow racing from the likes of NASCAR or Indycar. This means fans opposite get great views right into the garages as the pit stops take place.

On either side of the main stand are the trackside bleachers, where the cars will storm past along the main straight. The lower level is as close to the action as you can get, as they are close to the track and the grid where you’ll feel the roar of the start. The mezzanine level is mid-way up the stand, and you’ll get a great view of the chaos at turn 1. The Club level is the top tier of the Main Grandstand, and fans here get impeccable views of the final turn, main straight, pits and turn 1, plus access to an exclusive lounge with nibbles and drinks.

Turn 1 Grandstand

Seat type: Comfortable chairs with seat backs and cup holders
Big screen: Yes
Covered: No
Numbered seating: Yes
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At the top of the hill of the start-finish straight is the imposing turn 1. The track widens as the cars jostle for position, lending multiple racing lines to the drivers. As the tight hairpin closes up, the cars have another opportunity to make up a few places (or lose some carbon fibre).

The Turn 1 Grandstand is right at the peak of the 130-ft hill. Your view will span from the start grid round to the sweeping ‘S’ of turn 2. And with the right gear (binoculars or a high-quality camera lens), you’ll be able to catch the cars later in the lap through turns 12 to 15.

Turn 9 Bleachers

Seat type: Bench-style bleachers
Big screen: Yes
Covered: No
Numbered seating: Yes
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Turn 9 at Circuit of the Americas is a key, blind corner. On the crest of a hill, the drivers throw the car around a high-speed kink before pummelling towards the back straight. If a driver is lining up a move on the straight, it’s key they don’t lose any time in this section of the lap.

From this grandstand, you’ll track the cars as they come through turn 7, and wind down towards the turn 11 hairpin. From here, the entire straight will be in sight as the cars get up to top speed in the DRS zone.

Turn 12 Bleachers

Seat type: Bench-style bleachers
Big screen: No
Covered: No
Numbered seating: Yes
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At the end of the long back straight is Turn 12. For a driver who is looking to get a move done at the end of the fast straight, this is a key braking zone to nail.

But the Turn 12 Grandstand is on the outside of the corner, offers much more than a decent view of this one braking zone. Aa stand with a decent elevation, it offers views of almost the entire circuit: a staggering 15 of the 20 corners are in view, making it a simply unreal place to watch the race. Form the cars taking off uphill into turn 1, moving through to the ‘S’ section of the first sector all the way through the turn 12 in front of you, before taking off for the final sector. You’ll see it all from what’s not just one of the best stands in Austin, but in the world.

Turn 15 Grandstand

Seat type: Comfortable chairs with seat backs and cup holders
Big screen: Yes
Covered: No
Numbered seating: Yes
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At the end of the winding arena section is turn 15, which is parallel to the three straighter sections. From this large grandstand, you’ll see the cars cruise through from turns 12 to turns 16. Given the low-speed nature of this section, you’ll get a great, up-close view of the cars.

Turn 18 Bleachers

Seat type: Bench-style bleachers

Brand new for 2021, this grandstand consists of bleachers just on the outside of the penultimate turn 18. You’ll have a view of the cars passing along from turn 18, turning at 19 in front of the stand, and powering down towards the final turn 20. On qualifying day, the cars will line up and begin to build up speed for the all-important quali run. On race day, any last-ditch overtakes could happen here as the Grand Prix draws to an epic conclusion. This stand is also close to the Grand Plaza, putting the fans here in prime position to see the race and soak up the fan zone atmosphere.

Turn 19 Grandstand

Seat type: Comfortable chairs with seat backs and cup holders

Another new grandstand for 2021 is the stand at Turn 19. Perpendicular to the new stand at turn 18, the cars will exit turn 18 and tackle the next corner head-on with this grandstand. Fans here will see the cars change direction and line up for the final corner at turn 20 before finishing the lap.

General Admission

The most affordable way to see the race is in general admission. If you’re happy to bring a camping chair or blanket and pitch up on a grassy verge, you can have an action-filled weekend while exploring the circuit. Alongside the turn 1 grandstand, fans in general admission can get a breath-taking view across the circuit. And later in the lap, there’s a general admission zone by turn 19, where you can catch the cars peeling off into the pit lane.

Turn 4 Grandstand

Big screen: Yes
Covered: No
Numbered seating: Yes

Turns 3 through to 5 at COTA are modelled on the famous Maggots, Becketts and Chapel corners at Silverstone. At high-speed, the drivers are faced with short changes in direction through the snaking sequence.

The Turn 4 Grandstand is perfectly positioned to catch the action on the outside of these corners, with a big screen opposite to keep up with the race. This stand isn’t covered, however, so be prepared for Austin’s changeable conditions.

Note: Turn 4 Grandstand is not available in 2021.