Days at the Track

Charles Leclerc, fan fashion, and more top photos from F1 weekend 2024

The F1 U.S. Grand Prix completed another busy weekend in Austin.

Photo by Daniel Cavazos

As if there weren't enough going on in October, the third weekend managed to sneak in not one, but two mega-events.

The formerly undefeated Texas Longhorns hosted #5 Georgia (we won’t talk about that) at Daryl K. Royal stadium while hundreds of thousands of high speed racing fans flocked to the Circuit of the Americas (COTA) for the Formula 1 2024 U.S. Grand Prix.

Now in its 12th year at COTA, the USGP has firmly planted itself into the culture of Austin. (Check out more detailed highlights from the weekend here.)

Here’s what we saw both on the track and behind the scenes.

Formula 1 U.S. Grand Prix 2024 Austin While all eyes were on the title race between reigning champion Max Verstappen and this year’s contender Lando Norris, Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc was able to take the 2024 US Grand Prix championship after a fourth position start.Photo by Daniel Cavazos

Formula 1 U.S. Grand Prix 2024 Austin Tens of thousands of visitors from around the world flocked to the Circuit of the Americas this past weekend.Photo by Daniel Cavazos

Formula 1 U.S. Grand Prix 2024 Austin If you don't have Austin branded F1 swag, were you even here?Photo by Daniel Cavazos

Formula 1 U.S. Grand Prix 2024 Austin Lando Norris signs autographs for a couple of lucky lads.Photo by Daniel Cavazos

Formula 1 U.S. Grand Prix 2024 Austin It wouldn't be a race in Texas if there wasn't at least one Buc-ee's sighting. Photo by Daniel Cavazos

Formula 1 U.S. Grand Prix 2024 Austin Fans did whatever they could to stay cool throughout the weekend, like using fans. Photo by Daniel Cavazos

Formula 1 U.S. Grand Prix 2024 Austin Lando Norris was all smiles after claiming pole position in Saturday's qualifying.Photo by Daniel Cavazos

Formula 1 U.S. Grand Prix 2024 Austin These guys happily sported their support for Charles LeClerc on Friday — backing the right driver, as it would turn out.Photo by Daniel Cavazos

Formula 1 U.S. Grand Prix 2024 Austin Max Verstappen rounding turn one during Sunday's US Grand Prix.Photo by Daniel Cavazos

Formula 1 U.S. Grand Prix 2024 Austin The cloud coverage on Friday had everyone feeling playful. Photo by Daniel Cavazos

Formula 1 U.S. Grand Prix 2024 Austin Eminem made an appearance on the Super Stage in front of thousands of adoring fans. Photo by Daniel Cavazos

Formula 1 U.S. Grand Prix 2024 Austin It was the iconic hip hop artist's first show in five years. Photo by Daniel Cavazos

Formula 1 U.S. Grand Prix 2024 Austin We're used to seeing Mexican flags around the track in support of Red Bull's Checo Perez, but the introduction of Argentinian racer Franco Colapinto brought out the South American blue and white. Photo by Daniel Cavazos

Formula 1 U.S. Grand Prix 2024 Austin Your 2024 U.S. Grand Prix Podium, featuring a rare Ferrari 1-2. Photo by Daniel Cavazos

Formula 1 U.S. Grand Prix 2024 Austin The gaps between races can be long, so the wise will take the downtime to refresh their energy levels. Photo by Daniel Cavazos

Formula 1 U.S. Grand Prix 2024 Austin Lewis Hamilton signing Mercedes gear for the last time as one of their drivers. The 7-time champion makes a sensational move to Ferrari in 2025. Photo by Daniel Cavazos

Formula 1 U.S. Grand Prix 2024 Austin With the Dallas Cowboys on a bye week, the cheerleaders stayed busy by taking to the track just before the 2 pm start time.Photo by Daniel Cavazos

Formula 1 U.S. Grand Prix 2024 Austin French NBA basketball player Sidy Cissoko sported a custom-made Alpine-branded San Antonio Spurs jersey.Photo by Daniel Cavazos

Formula 1 U.S. Grand Prix 2024 Austin Ferrari engineers greeted their race winner, Charles LeClerc, as he pulled into parc fermé.Photo by Daniel Cavazos

Formula 1 U.S. Grand Prix 2024 Austin Olympic fencer Miles Chamley-Watson showed up in the paddock with a charming little buddy.Photo by Daniel Cavazos

Formula 1 U.S. Grand Prix 2024 Austin Alpine’s Esteban Ocon donned a San Antonio Spurs collaborative hat throughout the weekend.Photo by Daniel Cavazos

Formula 1 U.S. Grand Prix 2024 Austin Fans rushed the track to claim the best spot to view the podium presentation.Photo by Daniel Cavazos

Formula 1 U.S. Grand Prix 2024 Austin A lone Ferrari fan in a sea of Red Bull navy blue and McLaren orange.Photo by Daniel Cavazos

Formula 1 U.S. Grand Prix 2024 Austin The unexpected cloud cover on Friday and occasional sprinkle were absolutely welcome as the temperatures stayed below the forecast for most of the day.Photo by Daniel Cavazos

Formula 1 U.S. Grand Prix 2024 Austin Welcome to Texas, Strolling Piano!Photo by Daniel Cavazos

Formula 1 U.S. Grand Prix 2024 Austin The moment Max Verstappen edged past Lando Norris at turn one during the first lap of Sunday’s race.Photo by Daniel Cavazos

Formula 1 U.S. Grand Prix 2024 Austin Jane Leo treated fans to a set of indie electro dance music at the Fan Field stage on Friday. Part of the American Soundtrack Artist series, the duo were one of nineteen acts that performed around the track throughout the weekend.Photo by Daniel Cavazos

Formula 1 U.S. Grand Prix 2024 Austin The experience around the Circuit of the Americas during the Grand Prix weekend is festive, and often feels more like you’re at a fair rather than an F1 race.Photo by Daniel Cavazos

Formula 1 U.S. Grand Prix 2024 Austin Runners-up Max Verstappen and Carlos Sainz toast with huge bottles of champagne after the champagne showers, a staple during the podium presentation.Photo by Daniel Cavazos

Formula 1 U.S. Grand Prix 2024 Austin By far, the most popular spot this weekend was the Lego activation. At times, the line was a couple hundred people long, all waiting for a chance to grab a box of F1-related Legos.Photo by Daniel Cavazos

Formula 1 U.S. Grand Prix 2024 Austin The Ferrari Pope shows off his Ferrari ring in front of a Ferrari merch booth. He could be seen all weekend stopping to take selfies with fans from all walks of car obsession.Photo by Daniel Cavazos

Formula 1 U.S. Grand Prix 2024 Austin The U.S. Grand Prix is 100 percent a family affair.Photo by Daniel Cavazos

Formula 1 U.S. Grand Prix 2024 Austin Haas driver Nico Hulkenberg shares a moment with former Hass team principal Guenther Steiner.Photo by Daniel Cavazos

Formula 1 U.S. Grand Prix 2024 Austin It was a rough weekend for Mercedes legend Lewis Hamilton. After starting 19th from the grid, the British racer beached it into the gravel at turn 19 on lap two, and was forced to retire from the race.Photo by Daniel Cavazos

Formula 1 U.S. Grand Prix 2024 Austin A group of lucky kids got to walk through the paddock on Sunday, at times in awe when a driver would cross their paths.Photo by Daniel Cavazos

Formula 1 U.S. Grand Prix 2024 Austin Max Verstappen stops for selfies and autographs after coming from the press tent.Photo by Daniel Cavazos

Formula 1 U.S. Grand Prix 2024 Austin This couple was over the moon to be photographed as they towered over the crowd at turn 15.Photo by Daniel Cavazos

Formula 1 U.S. Grand Prix 2024 Austin Pole vaulter Armand Duplantis signs Lando Norris’ trophy for taking pole position during Saturday’s qualifying heat.Photo by Daniel Cavazos

Formula 1 U.S. Grand Prix 2024 Austin The heart of all the excitement is COTA’s Grand Plaza. Food, activations, music, and the sounds of race cars fill the area and make it the most popular spot on the track.Photo by Daniel Cavazos

Formula 1 U.S. Grand Prix 2024 Austin A lone cowboy showing off his lasso skills. Unlucky passersby were subject to a quick lassoing from time to time.Photo by Daniel Cavazos

Formula 1 U.S. Grand Prix 2024 Austin Charles LeClerc rehydrates after competing in Saturday’s sprint race.Photo by Daniel Cavazos

Formula 1 U.S. Grand Prix 2024 Austin Old Glory waved majestically over turn one, at times providing shade for the dozen or so photographers waiting on the platform for the start of Sunday’s Grand Prix.Photo by Daniel Cavazos

Formula 1 U.S. Grand Prix 2024 Austin CultureMap photographer Daniel Cavazos prepares for the outerloop by taking out his photographer vest.Photo by credit Brian Gray

Formula 1 U.S. Grand Prix 2024 Austin Fans photograph Lando Norris as he enters the McLaren garage ahead of qualifying. Photo by Daniel Cavazos

f1 racing cota sports

High Score

Austin named the nation's pickleball capital in industry report

Photo by Henry Selis Photo

Other Racquet Social Club is back after city woes.

It's no secret that Austinites love pickleball. A new study proves just how much by ranking Austin the No. 1 city for pickleball in the whole country. Dallas and Houston also made the top 10 at Nos. 3 and 8, respectively.

The report was published by TeachMe.To, an online marketplace for learning sports (and sometimes music) from private instructors. It used data from its own platform, USA Pickleball, Places2Play, local pickleball associations, and more. It also referred to the Sports and Fitness Industry Association (SFIA), which named pickleball the fastest-growing sport in America, with a growth rate of 223.5 percent over three years.

Similarly, TeachMe.To ranked Austin as the fastest-growing city for pickleball, and citing this as the main reason for the overall title of "the nation's pickleball capital."

It name-checked the Austin Metro Pickleball Association (AMPA) — with approximately 3,000-3,500 members — and the Austin Pickleball League (APL), estimating that overall, "15,000-20,000 people play pickleball at least occasionally in the greater Austin area." About half of those players — about 8,000-10,000 people — play at least twice a month.

The report did not include gender data on Austin, specifically, but it did note that not only are two-thirds of pickleball players female; women's involvement in the sport is also growing 50 percent faster than men's.

New courts everywhere
This probably isn't a surprise to people who have noticed the number of courts opened around Austin in recent years. By 2024, TeachMe.To's data shows 32 dedicated courts in Austin, and thanks to with a utility rate of 92 percent it doesn't look like that'll be slowing down.

In the summer of 2023, the online booking platform Swimply noticed how many pickleball courts there were in Austin compared to such great demand, and added courts to its service. In fall 2023 and summer 2024, at least two important developments expanded that availability: Other Racquet Social Club opened as a friendly, country club-like neighborhood option, and national chain The Picklr announced it's bringing five locations to Austin and Round Rock.

Perhaps because Austin is such a food-obsessed city, there seems to be some growing opportunity for food and beverage hospitality around pickleball, too. Other Racquet recently started hosting the Bill's Dips food truck, a spinoff of the popular downtown restaurant Bill's Oyster; and a pair of bars with pickleball courts, Drifters Social Coffee & Cocktails and The Pickle Pub, also opened in South Austin this year, with strong online ratings already.

The trend has even reached into real estate (see this cute house with its own pickleball court) and inspired athletes to introduce similar sports to the local market, as in the case of the padel club Paddle39. TeachMe.To's report also mentioned tech companies adding pickleball to their campuses.

Aside from growth, the study also considered lesson activity (including information about teacher availability and diversity of clinic offerings), infrastructure, community vitality, the tournament scene.

Austin had the highest concentration of all the cities of players under 40 (65 percent), as well as the highest share of national lesson bookings. At 16.90 percent, that means about one in six of the pickleball lessons contracted through this platform were in Austin. Lesson demand, the report says, is growing 125 percent year-over-year.

Elsewhere in Texas
Dallas was No. 3 thanks in part to its "central location" according to the report.

"The city's 45 dedicated courts and 85 [percent] public accessibility rate have fostered one of the most active competitive scenes in the country, with 8,500 registered league players," it says. "The combination of strong tournament presence, extensive infrastructure, and a 112% growth in lesson bookings solidifies Dallas as a powerhouse in the national pickleball landscape."

Houston made No. 8 with an emphasis on integrating pickleball with other sports.

"The city's 22 dedicated courts have seen a 92% increase in lesson bookings, driven by innovative programming that includes the nation's first corporate league system," it says. "Houston's success in integrating pickleball into existing sports infrastructure while maintaining 72% year-round utilization demonstrates a sustainable model for rapid growth."

Overall predictions
After laying out data about the top cities in pickleball, the report made some predictions. As the Austin newcomer mentioned above believes, the report also thinks padel is the next big thing. It also guesses more cities will act like Houston by focusing on hybrid facilities.

It also expects to see an expanded professional circuit and mainstream coverage, more technology used on the court, a rise in the prevalence of young players, and more opportunities in corporate wellness and real estate. "Dedicated pickleball facilities will become as common as swimming pools in luxury developments," it says. Texans will be the judge of that one.

pickleball lists

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High Score

Austin named the nation's pickleball capital in industry report