United States Grand Prix / Austin F1 / Fan access

Motorsport experiences:
drive, meet and explore.

Race an electric kart, drive a full-motion simulator or hear the people behind Formula 1. Austin’s team hubs, car showcase and live Q&As turn the Grand Prix into a week of motorsport.

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Austin F1 / Fan access

Get closer to the sport across Austin.

Start with the experience you want: hands-on racing in North Austin, team activities on Congress Avenue, Wednesday’s car showcase or Thursday’s pit-lane walk. The live diary supplies the dated appearances; the connected plans leave room for the journeys between them.

19–25 October 2026

Choose the access that fits your race week

Mercedes Fan Hub: Try simulators, a pit-stop mechanic challenge and the 2026 show car at 400 Congress Avenue, 22–25 October. Entry is free; food and merchandise are separate purchases. Check opening hours and entry requirements before travel. No driver appointment is announced.
Free city fan zones: Williams runs 19–24 October at 800 Congress, with app registration required. Red Bull Race Nights runs 22–25 October at 1501 E 7th Street, 16:00–22:00; it becomes 18+ at 20:00.
Williams live Q&As: At 800 Congress: Alex Albon Wednesday 21 October at 17:25; Luke Browning Thursday at 11:00; James Vowles Thursday at 18:00; Damon Hill Friday at 10:00. Entry is free with Williams app registration; sessions can fill. End times are not published.
Drive a kart or simulator: K1 Speed offers electric kart races in North Austin. Race Club and One Line offer full-motion simulator sessions, with different opening days and booking options. K1 walk-in race purchases do not reserve a starting time.
Wednesday · Power Paddock: Duracell brings RC racing, interactive games and live music to Brazos Hall, 12:00–20:00 on 21 October. Albon is announced, with his appearance time still to come. His 17:25 Williams Q&A is at a different venue.
Thursday · Pen to Pit Lane: Calum Nicholas hosts a panel including Yuki Tsunoda at the AT&T Grand Ballroom, 17:30–20:30 on 22 October. Free tickets are required; résumé reviews and headshots are advertised. This overlaps Vowles at 18:00: make one talk your evening plan.
Wednesday · Road to the Race: Visit the Long Center on 21 October, 17:00–21:30, for display cars, simulators and a charity auction. Every guest needs a separate event ticket; driver attendance is not announced. Check current prices and entry instructions with the organiser.
Sunday · drivers’ parade: Watch from your permitted spectator area at COTA, 13:00–13:30 on 25 October, with Sunday race admission. The parade does not include a personal meeting or autograph.
Sunday · Fan Track Walk: After the race, join the starting-grid walk and podium celebrations when staff open access. Use the signed entry points at Turns 1, 2 or 19, or Main Grandstand East or West. No fixed start time is published. Allow for the onward walk to Alesso at 17:30 and confirm Sunday’s final shuttle return before staying.
Competitions and giveaways: Partner promotions have their own eligibility and entry conditions. A chance to win a meeting or race tickets is not booked access; keep those plans separate from confirmed admission.
Thursday pit-lane walk: The pit-lane walk runs 14:00–16:00 on 22 October with a separate Grand PrixView Thursday ticket. Enter through Grand Plaza and check the assembly instructions before arrival. Lots F and H are included with Thursday admission; weekend parking passes do not apply.
Karting during race week: COTA karting is closed 8–30 October. Leave it out of this race-week itinerary.
Paddock and hospitality: Ordinary admission and a Thursday pit-lane walk do not include paddock or garage access. Check the precise inclusions of your purchased hospitality package; a competition entry is not a guaranteed driver meeting.
Build a realistic day: Use Monday–Wednesday for Williams if you can. On race days, choose between a late COTA stay and a city event rather than assuming both fit. Arrange Thursday circuit transport separately and leave time for race-day shuttle queues.

Build a motorsport week →Race electric karts →Book Race Club simulators →Explore One Line Racing →Plan the Mercedes Fan Hub →Compare Road to the Race GA & VIP →Open the fan diary and calendar downloads →Plan your circuit transfers →Compare tickets and hospitality →

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