Featured writer: Jaspa

The inaugural Formula 1 US Grand Prix at the Circuit of the Americas (COTA) in Austin, Texas, was a huge success. The drivers liked it. The press liked it. The fans loved it! And my friends and I were among those lucky enough to be there.

Friday morning got off to an early start, as we attempted (successfully) to beat the traffic heading for the circuit. We were all ready and excited for the sights and sounds of 24 Formula 1 cars pounding around a brand new, purpose-built track. For some of us it had been over 5 years since we last attended an F1 race (Montreal, June 2007), for the rest this was to be their first taste of live Formula 1.

Me checking out the view from our seats at Turn 12, with the COTA Tower and Turn 1 in the background

We spent the first part of Free Practice 1 (FP1) in our seats at Turn 12. Every time the cars approached down the straight at 200 mph, we were convinced the drivers were breaking too late, that there was no way they could stop in time to make the corner. And every time we were astounded when they did.

For Friday only, our tickets got us into pretty much every grandstand around the track (not that we Ses have to worry about tickets, of course), so halfway through FP1 we headed out to explore the rest of the circuit. We enjoyed views of the cars racing up the hill towards Turn 1, sweeping through the curve complex of Turns 3–9, and breaking hard into the hairpin of Turn 11. In fact, the only grandstand we weren’t keen on was at Turn 2.

Jenson Button heading up to Turn 1 in his McLaren (FP2)

Weaving through Turns 3-6 during FP2 (top to bottom: Heikki Kovalainen of Caterham, Lewis Hamilton, Jean-Éric Vergne of Toro Rosso and Timo Glock of Marussia)

But we all agreed that, in terms of action, our seats at Turn 12 were the best in the house. Like other race fans we spoke to, we’d picked them so we could see any DRS (Drag Reduction System) passes at the end of the main straight, coming into Turn 12. What we didn’t expect was all the overtaking action that took place right in front of us at Turn 15. And if that wasn’t already enough, we could also see almost half the circuit, including all the way across to Turn 1, which almost always produces excitement at the start of an F1 race.

Sebastian Vettel celebrates his Pole Position

On Saturday we were at the track from sunrise to sunset. Literally. In addition to the final Formula 1 practice session (FP3), we saw loads of great on-track action, including a fantastic Ferrari Challenge race and an historic Grand Prix involving F1 cars from the 1960s – 80s, plus a free concert by Collective Soul. But the highlight of the day was undoubtedly the Formula 1 Qualifying session, which saw Red Bull’s Sebastian Vettel claim yet another Pole Position.

If we’d been excited the previous two days, we were buzzing by Sunday morning. We again arrived early and watched the GT3 Cup race, the second Ferrari Challenge, the F1 Drivers Parade, until finally 1 o’clock arrived… Race Time!

The next 1 hour and 36 minutes passed in a thrilling, fast-forward blur. We were amazed when all 24 cars made it through the first corner unscathed. We groaned when Mark Webber’s Red Bull spluttered to a halt in front of our grandstand. We cheered as Lewis Hamilton in his McLaren tried again and again to take the lead from Vettel. And we cheered even louder when he finally pulled it off, again right in front of us.

Everyone negotiates Turn 1 safely!

Our first view of the leaders: Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull), Mark Webber (Red Bull), Lewis Hamilton (McLaren) and Fernando Alonso (Ferrari)

Mark Webber retires from the race… Boo!

End of an Era (again): Michael Schumacher’s penultimate race for Mercedes before he retires from F1 for a second time

Job done! Lewis Hamilton overtakes Sebastian Vettel right in front of us at Turn 12

On the big screen: the Podium celebrations, complete with Stetsons!

Then, almost before we knew it, the chequered flag was out and the race was over. Hamilton first, Vettel second, and Fernando Alonso of Ferrari in third. Meaning the Formula 1 Driver’s World Championship would be settled at the final race of the season, which took place the following weekend at Interlagos in Sao Paulo, Brazil.

It’s hard to imaging a more fun and exciting weekend than we had at the Circuit of the Americas. Despite a few teething problems (and to be fair, it was the first event ever held there), we were really impressed with the venue. The facilities were great, the track was outstanding, and the racing was second to none. And although my bottom is still sore from sitting so long on those aluminium bleachers, I for one can’t wait to go back.

I just wish I could have been in Brazil for the World Championship showdown between Vettel and Alonso! (Which Vettel finally won, by just three points.)