At Circuit of The Americas in South Austin, the world’s premier motorsport series, the U.S. Formula One Grand Prix, is taking place this weekend. If you want to attend F1 but have not bought tickets yet, you can still attend. Tickets are still on sale and can be purchased online.

The race

Since the first race in 2012, 976,417 fans have come to the F1 USGP at COTA, the only purpose-built F1 circuit in the U.S. During the average F1 USCP race, more than 135,000 beers are sold, according to COTA. The track consists of 20 turns and is 5.5 kilometers long. The maximum speed an F1 car has reached on the circuit is 195 mph. The 2016 FIA Formula One world championship is made up of 22 drivers competing for 11 teams.

Live music

Performances during the event weekend include:

• Saturday: 10-time GRAMMY winner Taylor Swift on COTA’s Super Stage
• Sunday: R&B superstar Usher accompanied by the legendary Roots Crew, the house band on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon
• Other performances throughout the weekend include Money Chicha, Nakia & The Blues Grifters, Bobby Patterson, Riders Against The Storm, Kupira Marimba Quartet, Mariachi Relámpago, Ben Cina, Stella Cottrell, Mike Barfield—The Tyrant of TX Funk, A-Town Get Down, Mitch Webb and the Swindles, Bottom Dollar String Band, sets by DJ King Louie and DJ Manolo Black, both regulars on the Peligrosa scene as well as DJ Jester the Filipino Fist and DJ Donnie Dee. A raucous good time is certain with White Ghost Shivers, Jomo & The Possum Posse, Wino Vino and The Flying Balalaika Brothers, who will bring their Gypsy dance party. Boss Street Brass Band, along with Big Wy’s Brass Band, represents the New Orleans style street bands and Ducado Vega & Zenya Vi will pay homage to Prince.

Fan Fest

If you want to experience the fun of F1 but cannot make it to the track, you can attend Fan Fest on Sixth Street between San Jacinto Boulevard and Neches Street, featuring experiential activities for fans such as fans including car displays, a photo history of F1, a unicyclist showcase, body art, as well as an acrobatic, extreme stunt pogo performance by Pogo Fred, a multiple Guinness World Record Holder. There will also be activations from Facebook, Bud Light, Topo Chico, Perky Jerky, Advance Auto Parts and Bud Light drink specials at bars throughout Historic Sixth Street. Bands set to perform during the race weekend will also perform at the Iron Cactus on Friday and Saturday.

Traffic

Road traffic may be heavy leading up to and during race weekend. The city of Austin advises drivers to check their routes and allow time for driving in the area near COTA and the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport. Arriving fans are expected to increase airport traffic on Thursday and Friday. Capital Metro announced extended rail service hours Oct. 22 and 23, with MetroRail running from 10:20 a.m. to midnight both days. According to the city, passenger traffic levels at ABIA are expected to increase during the race weekend with the heaviest passenger traffic normally occuring after the race. Peak departure times are available here.  Live music performances will take place at the airport starting Sunday night. For 2016 there are 12,000 upgraded parking spaces as well as an improved shuttle system for rapid loading and unloading.

Weather

If it rains two inches or more in the 24-hour period before the official start of the race on Sunday, COTA said it will refund ticket costs, pay an additional 5 percent to guests who purchase a reserved seat on a 3-day weekend pass or a Sunday only reserved seat by July 5, and still allow them to attend the race.

Circuit of The Americas

9201 Circuit of The Americas Blvd. 512-301-6600 • www.circuitoftheamericas.com