The Circuit of the Americas, or COTA, was built to host the 2012 United States Grand Prix and is the first to be purpose-built for Formula One racing in the United States. The 3.41 mile long run of twenty twisting turns were specially designed by extracting small details from the worlds most challenging F1 courses. From the starting line to the finish line racers will experience a total elevation change of 133 feet and, like only three other current Formula 1 tracks, will be racing in an anticlockwise direction.

The Austin Formula One venue is expected to hold 120,000 spectators and will house grandstand, premium, and two types of general admission seating. One will be a lawn section with berm style seats and the other will be first come/first serve bleacher seats at turns 5, 9, and 11.

Along with being one of the premiere Formula One tracks in the Americas, COTA will also feature a top of the line amphitheater situated directly under the venues signature 251 foot observation tower. The Amphitheater will have room to accommodate 14,000 guests with reserved seating for 6,700. Check out the Austin360 Amphitheater page for more information on the venue.

Getting There

There will be buses taking fans from a downtown location as well as the Travis County Expo Center, as parking will be limited. The Circuit of the Americas also has six helipads, and helicopter transport from downtown Austin to the track will be available. For those that will be driving to the Circuit of the Americas, the following are directions from Cesar Chavez St. and I-35.

Directions to track from downtown Austin:

Take 1st/Cesar Chavez St. east (2.9 miles)
Take ramp onto Airport Blvd. (0.6)
Keep left at fork, follow signs for US 183 S., merge onto 183 S (5.7 miles)
Turn left onto FM812 (4.1 miles)
Arrive at Circuit of the Americas
Parking passes will be available for purchase as well as hospitality and luxury box accomodations.

FORMULA EXPO: The Formula 1 Expo will feature exhibits and demonstrations from F1 teams, as well as meet drivers and learn more about F1 from its early days to the top new technology that is making the sport one of the most popular in the world.

Other Links:
US Grand Prix Tickets
Austin360 Amphitheater Tickets