Austin Grand Prix

The Circuit of The Americas, designed by Hermann Tilke in collaboration with American architectural firm HKS, endured something of a nervy start, with construction suffering several setbacks. It was well worth the wait, though, when 1978 F1 champion Mario andretti opened the track on October 21 2012. F1 first raced at the Circuit of The Americas in 2012, for the first United States Grand Prix since the 2007 race at Indianapolis. Unsurprisingly, over 100,000 spectators packed out the Austin venue, witnessing Lewis Hamilton’s last ever win in a McLaren before his switch to Mercedes for 2013. The circuit begins with a long straightaway leading into the dramatic Turn 1, a steep uphill left-hander that demands precision and bravery from drivers. From there, the track flows through a series of high-speed corners and technical sections, including the iconic Esses – a sequence of rapid left and right turns that require pinpoint accuracy and commitment.