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F1 at COTA: Here is the schedule, ticket info, parking info, how to watch

Doug Miller
Austin American-Statesman

Formula One is coming to Austin this weekend when Circuit of The Americas hosts the United States Grand Prix Oct. 22 to 24. 

Red Bulls' Max Verstappen and Mercedes' Lewis Hamilton are locked in a close battle for the F1 drivers championship. Both of them will look to improve their place in the standings with a victory on Sunday in the 2021 United States Grand Prix. The race will be 56 laps of the 3.426 mile Circuit of The Americas Sunday. The weekend will include three days of events and entertainment to enjoy. 

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How to get tickets for the Formula 1 race at COTA

Both single-day ticket sand and three-day tickets packages are sold out. 

How to watch the F1 United States Grand Prix

The 2021 United States Grand Prix will be broadcast on ESPN and ABC, here is this weekend's F1 schedule:

  • Practice 1: Friday at 11:30 a.m. CT, ESPN
  • Practice 2: Friday at 3 p.m. CT, ESPN
  • Practice 3: Saturday at 1 p.m. CT, ESPN News
  • Qualifying: Saturday at 4 p.m. CT, ESPN News
  • United State Grand Prix: Sunday at 12:30 p.m. CT, ABC

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F1 schedule in Austin

Events for the Formula One United States Grand Prix start on Friday and end with the actual Grand Prix on Sunday afternoon. Along with the Formula One events, there will be NASCAR demos and W Series and FIA Formula 4 races on the schedule. Here is the schedule for the weekend:

All times are central. 

Friday

  • 8:30 a.m.: W Series practice session
  • 11:30 a.m.: Formula One Practice 1
  • 12:35 p.m.: NSACAR demo
  • 12:55 p.m.: FIA Formula 4 practice session
  • 3 p.m.: Formula One Practice 2
  • 4:40 p.m.: W Series practice session

Saturday

  • 10:05 a.m.: FIA Formula 4 qualifying
  • 10:35 a.m.: NASCAR demo
  • 11:10 a.m.: W Series qualifying
  • 11:45 a.m.: Formula One pit stop practice
  • 1 p.m.: Formula One Practice 3
  • 2:25 p.m.: FIA Formula 4 first race
  • 4 p.m.: Formula One qualifying
  • 5:25 p.m.: W Series first race

Sunday

  • 8:50 a.m.: NASCAR demo
  • 10 a.m.: FIA Formula 4 second race
  • 11:05 a.m.: W Series second race
  • 2 p.m.: Formula One United State Grand Prix

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Parking at COTA for Formula 1

Parking at the Circuit of The Americas is sold out. Do not try to go to the track if you do not have a parking pass. Any vehicle without a valid parking pass will be unable to access COTA Boulevard during the United States Grand Prix. 

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Take a shuttle from downtown, Barton Creek Square mall, ABIA or Bastrop Memorial Stadium to COTA for F1 race

COTA recommends guests take a shuttle to the track. Shuttles picks up at five locations around Austin and have their own dedicated lanes to get in and out of the property. The shuttles will run on a continuous loop. You can purchase a shuttle pass online here. 

You can get dropped off at the front gate of COTA by taking the Front Gate Shuttle for $40. You can board the shuttle in downtown Austin at San Jacinto and East 14th streets or at the Barton Creek Square mall. 

You can take the Drop & Walk Shuttle, which will drop you off about a 10 to 12 minute walk from the Grand Plaza. The shuttle cost $15 or $20 and you can get on the shuttle at one of three locations: Bastrop Memorial Stadium, Guadalupe and 51st streets in central Austin, and Austin-Bergstrom International Airport. 

Take a helicopter to COTA for F1 race

Skip the traffic and take a flight on a air-conditioned Bell Longranger helicopter. The service will be provided by STS VIP Helicopter Services and you can request a quote online here.

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Twenty One Pilots, Billy Joel and Kool & the Gang at COTA

There will be musical entertainment at COTA throughout the weekend. Acts will be playing at five locations around the venue with a concert at the end of each night. Here is the Germania Insurance Super Stage schedule:

  • Friday at 7:30 p.m.: Twenty One Pilots
  • Saturday at 7:30 p.m.: Billy Joel
  • Sunday at 4:30 p.m. (after the race): Kool & the Gang

You can see the full entertainment schedule online here.