Austin Revs Up For Formula 1 Racing

AUSTIN, TX — The Formula 1 Emirates United States Grand Prix Weekend starting Friday will bring thousands of race fans to the city, but will also prompt a number of road closures to accommodate the visiting throngs.

The event is scheduled to start on Friday, Nov. 1, and conclude the following Sunday, Nov. 4. The event will bring motor sports fans to the to the Circuit of the Americas for racing, camping and performances by Imagine Dragons on Friday and P!NK on Saturday.

More specifically, the event runs from Friday, Nov. 1, starting at 8 a.m. until Sunday, Nov. 3, at 11:45 p.m.

A number of key roads will be closed to accommodate the big event. The city of Austin provided the following list of closures:

• East 3rd Street will close from Red River Street to the Interstate 35 frontage road on Sunday, Nov. 3 , from 6 a.m. to 11:30 p.m.
• Nash Hernandez Sr. Road will close on Sunday, Nov. 3, from Comal to Chicon streets during the hours of 6 a.m. to 11:30 p.m.
• East 4th Street will be shut down between the I-35 frontage road to Waller Street on Sunday, Nov. 3, from 6 a.m. to 11:30 p.m.

The city helpfully provided alternative routes for those customarily using the streets slated for closure. North-south traffic can instead travel along Cesar Chavez Boulevard and/or 5th Street to Trinity or San Jacinto streets. Those traveling east to west also can take Cesar Chavezand/or 5th Street to I-35 east.

The city also provided helpful links related to other transportation options for those wanting to avoid driving in heavy traffic, along with information related to parking information:

• For alternative transportation options visit: www.austintexas.gov/department/getting-around-austin.
• For bus routes and schedules visit: www.capmetro.org.
• For downtown parking information visit: www.austintexas.gov/department/downtown-parking.

For more information related to the availability of shuttles and their drop-off points, click here. To view maps of the two shuttle staging areas, click here.

While the city revs up for the excitement of fast racing, Austin police also will be busy during the event. In a press advisory, the Austin Police Department said its Commercial Vehicle Enforcement team will be conducting safety inspections on shuttles on Thursday from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. and on Friday from 6 a.m. to noon at the COTA track.

The APD team will be joined by officers from the Texas Department of Public Safety, Travis County Sheriff’s Office and Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration who will also be conducting inspections.

Past inspections led to the grounding of some shuttles as a result of various infractions police deemed potentially threatening to racing fans: "The team inspected approximately 70 shuttles in 2017 (2018 inspections were canceled due to weather)," police wrote in a press advisory "The result was that 19 shuttles and six drivers were placed out of service for various violations."

For those interested in attending the event, here are some helpful links:

• Formula 1 Emirates U.S. Grand Prix Schedule.
• Formula 1 map.
• Event Information — Things to know before you go.
• Music lineup.
• How to get tickets.
• Circuit of The Americas VIP Hospitality options.
• Parking information.
• Downtown shuttle details.
• RV and camping guide.
• F1 Experiences! Official Ticket Packages.
• Seating options. Note: 2019 Official Ticket Packages are SOLD OUT but there is still space at the Champions Club level. Get on the 2020 waiting list.
• Troops on Track. Circuit of The Americas and the Texas Lottery salute our honorable veterans and active, reserved and retired military personnel with a special invitation to attend the 2019 Formula 1 United States Grand Prix. Save nearly 40 percent on a Turn 4 or Turn 9 Bleacher ticket for race day or receive a discounted Sunday-only or 3-Day general admission ticket.
• Concerts: Formula 1 Super Stage concerts featuring P!ink and Imagine Dragons.