US GP eyes record crowd as covid measures fade
Oct.24 - Organisers of the US GP in Austin are confident a new deal to keep hosting Formula 1 at the Circuit of The Americas will soon be reached.
The chances of that have only risen over the course of this weekend - the first in Texas since 2019, before the start of the covid-19 pandemic.
Inside the paddock, Formula 1's strict covid guidelines remain in place - but it's a different story for the 120,000 spectators in the grandstands each day.
Mask wearing in Texas is voluntary, and F1 attendees are not required to be vaccinated. As a result, the circuit is bursting at the scenes with spectators.
"The number of visitors corresponds to that of four Super Bowls, all in one weekend. It will be a historic event," said US GP boss Bobby Epstein.
"It could even be a record - even more than the premiere in 2012. We're expecting up to 360,000 spectators over the weekend."
A delegation from Las Vegas is in Austin this weekend for talks with Formula 1 about a potential race in Nevada's famous casino capital in 2023.
But also taking place are discussions about a new grand prix contract for Austin.
"It's not about whether Formula 1 will stay in Austin, it's about for how long," Epstein insisted. "And the financial details."
11 F1 Fan comments on “US GP eyes record crowd as covid measures fade”
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120k??? Come for the concert, take a peek at the racing. Hey, it's Austin. Las Vegas: come for the shows & gambling, take a peek at the racing. Miami: come for the bikinis and beach, take a peek at the racing. $$$$$ Long way from race weekends at Watkins Glen. No wonder Euro/Brit F1 fans disdain US racing.
Over 400,000 fans at COTA. Wow! I've been on the turn 1 hill and stands a few times, and its pretty amazing. Max win will make it 500,000 in 2022.
Swede, good attendance & good show, no question but remember that those 400000 were each counted 2-3 times. 400k is the total weekend, not daily.
Well i watched the 2nd W race and one grandstand looked almost empty??
W race?
United States Grand Prix: Jamie Chadwick wins W Series title in Austin
Didn't see it here :(
Might catch it on YouTube now.
Concert and the glam, Shrop', who cares about the next Lella Lombardi?
in F1 , very few and even fewer will remember Miss Lombardi but for Jamie Chadwick not bad 2nd title now and , not bad work 500000 $ for eight races, plus whatever she got for winning in 2019
Not much glam for Hammy, more like Glum...
Disagree. Fan or not, the knight has the glam bling goin' on. Wonder how long it takes blondie to do his hair in the morning, and the shopping.....oh, the shopping.
Pretty good track and a highly excited and entertained crowd. Good event in my book and worthy of a F1 race.
Saw a figure of 400,000 does that translate into around 40,000,000 dollars of income from ticket sales alone?