THAT’S THE TICKET
Tickets now available as Formula 1 races back into Austin’s Circuit of the Americas
Fans of motorsport are getting revved up for the Austin return of the world’s fastest and most prestigious racing series.
As of Tuesday, April 27, tickets are available for the Formula 1 Aramco 2021 United States Grand Prix, motoring to the Circuit of The Americas in Austin October 22-24.
Though COTA has hosted the annual U.S. Grand Prix since 2012 — and brings multimillions of dollars to the Austin economy — F1’s return to the popular Austin racetrack is particularly anticipated this year, with last year’s U.S. Grand Prix canceled because of the coronavirus pandemic. Indeed, much of the 2020 F1 season was disrupted by the pandemic, forcing the elite series to cut several races and revise its planned schedule.
For its triumphant return to Austin, a variety of tickets are available for this year’s F1 racing weekend, including those for three-day general admission (starting at $189), which gets you in door, but you’ll need a chair or blanket for settling down to catch the racing from the hillside. Also available are three-day bleacher tickets (starting at $249), with seats located at COTA’s Turns 9, 12, and 18. Three-day premium grandstand tickets (starting at $350) will score you seats in the Main Grandstand, and the three-day flex pass (starting at $450) enables ticket holders to view the racing from three different seated locations each day.
Die-hard racing fans will want to check out the Geico Camping & RV options (starting at $600), and shared and private hospitality packages are also available.
New this year: Reserved seat tickets will be offered at Turn 18 and Turn 19. New hospitality options include the Twenty12 Lounge, Podium Club, and Tower Club areas, and premium on-track viewing upgrades are available for both concert experiences.
Of course, many Austinites will be drawn to those over-the-top musical performances (more info on specifics will be released soon), and to the onsite amusement rides and local food offerings, but with the 2021 F1 season now in full petal-the-the-metal mode, local racing enthusiasts are ready for the likes of seven-time F1 World Champion Lewis Hamilton — easily the fastest man in the world — to hit the road to Austin.
Though some not-entirely-unforeseen race results have played out this season, team shakeups are giving way to some interesting on-track relations. Of particular note is the F1 return of legendary driver Fernando Alonso, and the addition of Mick Schumacher (son of record-breaking F1 champ Michael Schumacher). He joins the U.S.-based Haas F1 racing team following the series retirement of Romain Grosjean, who miraculously and narrowly escaped certain death last season when his Haas car hit a wall and exploded into flames at the Bahrain Grand Prix.
Whichever of the 20 teams and drivers speed into your heart, the return of F1 to the COTA marks a thrilling and historic crossroads, and is not to be missed.
DIIV's set was moody, but propulsive thanks to strong bass lines.Photo by Brianna Caleri
Zachary Cole Smith can always be counted on for a nostalgic 'fit.Photo by Brianna Caleri
Starcleaner Reunion singer Jo Roman keeps the beat.Photo by Brianna Caleri
From the looks of it, no one had a better time onstage than Wayne Coyne, frontman of the Flaming Lips.Photo by Brianna Caleri
The tinsel whip was one of many props.Photo by Brianna Caleri
The Flaming Lips are known for touring with huge inflatables.Photo by Brianna Caleri
A joyful crowd reacts to being blasted with confetti during the Flaming Lips' set.Photo by Brianna Caleri
Ty Segall was king of the guitar jams.Photo by Brianna Caleri
Segall's painted jeans were probably the most unique fashion statement all weekend.Photo by Brianna Caleri
The Psych Fest uniform: Earthy shorts and calf tattoos.Photo by Brianna Caleri
Thomas Attar Bellier of Al-Qasar plays a beautifully adorned electric saz.Photo by Brianna Caleri
The more mics, the better for Al-Qasar.Photo by Brianna Caleri
A closer look at the saz.Photo by Brianna Caleri
Lyrics in Arabic brought extra gravitas to the set.Photo by Brianna Caleri
How's that for a desert hallucination?Photo by Brianna Caleri
New Candys guitarist Emanuele Zanardo puts a physical flourish in his playing.Photo by Brianna Caleri
A portal opens...Photo by Brianna Caleri
The Black Angels interrupted the technicolor parade for a largely black-and-white set.Photo by Brianna Caleri
Black Angels bassist Misti Hamrick-French basks in the cold glow of a strobe light.Photo by Brianna Caleri
Dumbo Gets Mad reminds us that Italians just get fashion.Photo by Brianna Caleri
Guitarist Luca Bergomi gets in on bassist Ivan Torelli's shot.Photo by Brianna Caleri
LA LOM bassist Jake Faulkner captures the sun.Photo by Brianna Caleri
Guitarist Zac Sokolow danced for the whole set, which happened to be on his birthday.Photo by Brianna Caleri
Faulkner's grandstanding added flavor to the show, which ultimately didn't need psychedelic visuals.Photo by Brianna Caleri
Faulkner's howls cut through the air, hardly amplified.Photo by Brianna Caleri
Trish Toledo paid homage to mothers and couples in her romantic set.Photo by Brianna Caleri
Not a practical shoe for a rainy weekend. We salute her sacrifice for fashion.Photo by Brianna Caleri
Thee Sacred Souls closed out the festival with a brass section.Photo by Brianna Caleri
This backup singer was exquisitely styled in blue.Photo by Brianna Caleri
Singer Josh Lane snapped a photo of an adoring audience. See you next time, Josh.Photo by Brianna Caleri