Get ready for the United States Grand Prix with our Race Ready guide, covering the Austin F1 schedule, travel and accommodation

Welcome to the Race Ready for the United States F1 Grand Prix, taking place in Austin, from 18-20 October.

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. The 2024 race is still on sale – book your United States F1 Grand Prix tickets here.

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.

FRIDAY 18 OCTOBER

LOCAL TIME (GMT-5)UK TIME (GMT+1)SERIESSESSION
09:1015:10MASTERS HISTORICPRACTICE SESSION
10:2016:20MASTERS ENDURANCE LEGENDSFIRST QUALIFYING SESSION
12:3018:30FORMULA 1FIRST PRACTICE SESSION
13:4519:45FORMULA 1PIRELLI HOT LAPS
15:3021:30PORSCHE CARRERA CUP NORTH AMERICAPRACTICE SESSION
16:3022:30FORMULA 1SPRINT QUALIFYING
18:0000:00 (Sat)MASTERS ENDURANCE LEGENDSSECOND QUALIFYING SESSION

SATURDAY 19 OCTOBER

LOCAL TIME (GMT-5)UK TIME (GMT+1)SERIESSESSION
09:5015:50PORSCHE CARRERA CUP NORTH AMERICAQUALIFYING SESSION
10:4516:45MASTERS ENDURANCE LEGENDSFIRST RACE
13:0019:00FORMULA 1SPRINT RACE
13:5019:50FORMULA 1PIRELLI HOT LAPS
14:4020:40MASTERS HISTORICFIRST RACE
15:4021:40PORSCHE CARRERA CUP NORTH AMERICAFIRST RACE
17:0023:00FORMULA 1QUALIFYING SESSION

SUNDAY 20 OCTOBER

LOCAL TIME (GMT-5)UK TIME (GMT+1)SERIESSESSION
08:3014:30MASTERS ENDURANCE LEGENDSSECOND RACE
10:0016:00MASTERS HISTORICSECOND RACE
11:0017:00PORSCHE CARRERA CUP NORTH AMERICASECOND RACE
12:3018:30FORMULA 1PIRELLI HOT LAPS
14:0020:00FORMULA 1QUALIFYING 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.

Austin is also a Sprint weekend. Catch up on the rules and format of the Sprint races in 2024 here.

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 2024 line-up is Eminem, who will also appear at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix in December, and Sting.

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.

COTA map

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.

COTA Track Stats

Circuit of the AmericasTRACK STATS
FIRST GRAND PRIX2012
LAP LENGTH5.513 km
LAP RECORD1:36.169 Charles Leclerc (2019)
LAPS56
RACE DISTANCE 308.405km
TURNS20

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.

Customer Service

If you require assistance during the race weekend, feel free to contact our customer service team through the Motorsport Tickets Help Centre.

FAQs

If you have some more queries or would like more information, head over to our FAQs section.