International Austin
Hear them roar: The best quotes about Formula 1 weekend from around the world
Lewis Hamilton, the first winner of the U.S. Grand Prix.Photo by Keith Rizzo
The COTA girls.
The inaugural start of the United States Grand Prix at Circuit of the Americas.Photo by Keith Rizzo
The University of Texas Longhorn Band played "The Eyes of Texas" before therace.Photo by Kevin Benz
Sebastian Vettel climbs into the cockpit.Photo by Keith Rizzo
Lewis Hamilton climbs into the cockpit.Photo by Keith Rizzo
A fan greets F1 driver Michael Schumacher (c) as he enters the paddock beforethe race.Photo by Kevin Benz
The reviews on Austin and the USGP are glowing. Not surprisingly, Austin excelled as a first-time F1 host, and it didn't take long for the national and international sports media covering the United States Grand Prix to recognize it.
The most glowing reports, of course, came from the drivers and the reporters who found themselves quoted over and over again in international press like the Oman Daily Observer, The Guardian (U.K.), BBC, Asia Eirosport, Adelaid Now (Australia), Irish Independent, New Zealand Herald, Perth Now, Times of India and Tripoli Post.
There are certainly many of us who would prefer Austin remain the secret Texas town we discovered back in the late '70s; alas, while there are still small pockets of outlaw awesomeness, the whole world now knows about it.
We thought we'd show off some of the nice things people are saying about Austin around the country and around the world. It makes ya kinda proud to live here actually.
But first, the start of an F1 race is magnificent, roaring engines you can feel to your bones. This video does not do it justice, but it will give you an idea.
Unlike many road courses, it features excellent sightlines and multiple spectator areas offering great views of more than a single corner or straightaway. As a complete, modern facility, it stands absolutely unrivaled by any racing venue on this continent. Period.
Everyone out here [in Austin] is getting pretty excited as the weekend approaches; downtown Austin is buzzing, the team’s hospitality units are groaning and the marketing men are salivating almost as much as the drivers. I can see why: the Circuit of the Americas looks mouth-watering.
Though the Circuit of the Americas holds a contract with F1 to host the U.S. Grand Prix through 2021, naysayers wondered whether the series would fill the grandstands. Sunday's event not only drew high praise from among the mobs of American fans, but also fans from Europe, South America and among the racing teams. The event's success, just short of a sellout, suggests that F1 might yet have a future in this country.
It was a weekend full of happy surprises as the U.S. Grand Prix at Austin went far beyond expectations in just about every area — but, especially, in the racing.
If Austin provided the nightlife, fan festival and copious entertainment with musical shows and support-series races, it was the circuit itself that provided the best reward in the kind of tight racing that Americans did not get to see at the U.S. Grand Prix at Indianapolis from 2000 to 2007.
This was also a victory for Austin, which went to great lengths to ensure success after the series failed to take hold at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway from 2000 to 2007.
A three-day Formula One fan festival that included music, activities for children and other entertainment opened the event to more than racing fans, something few other series’ sites have accomplished. Good weather, including 73 degrees and sunny skies for race day, certainly helped.
There were also almost none of the anticipated traffic concerns either...
The Formula 1 drivers were perhaps the most effusive in their praise for Austin and the circuit.
Lewis Hamilton:
There are a couple of grands prix that are somehow out on their own: there's Monaco, Silverstone, Montreal, Spa and Monza. Now you can this circuit to that list - it's already one of the best racetracks in the world, maybe even right up there in the top three.... The fans have been amazing this weekend, so thank you so much. The warm welcome we’ve had has been fantastic and I think this is one of the best, if not the best grand prix we’ve had all year.
Jenson Button:
It was great to race in front of so many fantastically enthusiastic American fans - they looked like they really enjoyed themselves. Before we arrived here, we knew we were going to have to put on a good show, and I think we did just that. There was action and suspense all the way through, which is exactly what you need to create a great sporting spectacle.
I really hope the U.S. will now embrace Formula 1 at last.
Fernando Alonso:
The circuit was fantastic and the fans fantastic all weekend.
Big thanks to all the fans coming here, Americans, Mexicans and the South Americans that came also to support us. We enjoyed racing here thanks to the fans, thanks to the fantastic facilities and I hope we put on a good show for everybody and people will enjoy even more next year.
Nico Rosberg:
I hope we can be more successful next year here in Austin as I have enjoyed our visit. The track, the people and the city are absolutely fantastic.
Sergio Perez:
It was a great experience to race here in front of so many Mexicans. The COTA is a great track and I hope we can have this Grand Prix on the calendar for many years.
Jean-Eric Vergne:
This new circuit is fun to race on.
Pastor Maldanado:
I hope that this will be one of the best racing venues for Formula One.
