System 1 is again in Austin, the “Dwelling of Horsepower.” As a substitute of driving bucking broncos, the world’s quickest drivers are revving 1000 horsepower V6 engines round one of many yr’s trickiest tracks.
Throughout race weekend (October 17-19) in Austin, the town is plastered with F1 imagery, from posters of Lando Norris’ face alongside sixth Avenue to the total vary of Pirelli tires that adorn the foyer of the Thompson Resort.
It’s the one weekend in Austin the place traces across the block aren’t solely reserved for BBQ eating places. As a substitute, System 1 fanatics queue for followers zones arrange across the metropolis like, the Atlassian Williams Racing Fan Zone the place they’ll drive esports simulators, Lewis Hamilton’s Plus 44 retailer pop-up and former F1 driver Daniel Ricciardo’s Enchanté pop-up.
Digital luxurious way of life concierge service Velocity Black is the official luxurious way of life companion of the Aston Martin Aramco System 1 staff, and members get entry to a few of the weekend’s most unique choices, together with the staff’s hospitality suite in The Paddock Membership, a scorching lap, storage excursions, pit lane walks and a lunch on the Aston Martin Home, the place drivers casually stroll by as you munch on brisket croquettes and native tostadas.
“Whether or not it’s VIP hospitality, storage excursions and scorching lap entry at F1 races, advantageous eating experiences or unique leisure, we’re dedicated to unlocking really unforgettable moments throughout the globe,” says Sylvain Langrand, CEO of Velocity Black.
Off the observe, there was a non-public dinner on the iconic Franklin Barbecue with an intimate stay efficiency by Grammy Award-winner Gary Clark Jr. And will members need to beat the Austin site visitors, Velocity Black arranges helicopter transports to and from the circuit.
“F1 and Austin have acclimated to one another,” legendary BBQ pitmaster Aaron Franklin advised Observer at a non-public dinner for Velocity Black members. “Now, individuals come right here particularly for F1, and are extra within the native scene and native tradition. We had the McLaren staff right here final night time, and so they’re all only a bunch of actually cool nerds. I really like assembly individuals throughout race weekend that I wouldn’t usually have the possibility to satisfy.”
Curler coasters dot The Circuit Of The Americas (COTA) and it looks as if the necessary costume code is cowboy hats and boots. When vehicles aren’t rounding the circuit, musical performances all through the weekend embody Kygo and Garth Brooks, Turnpike Troubadours, in addition to native Austin expertise.
This yr, Austin was a dash weekend, that means there was an additional mini-race with extra factors on the road for the championship battle. Monitor temperatures weren’t the one scorching scorching factor on Saturday, because the dash race was off to a spicy begin. The group gasped as each McLarens made contact, forcing them out of the dash race and any likelihood at factors. General, a nasty day for Oscar Piastri, at the moment main the motive force’s championship, as he solely positioned P6 in qualifying, whereas his teammate and championship rival, Lando Norris, got here in at P2.
And on race day, COTA was scorching as H-E double toothpicks, however celebrities nonetheless lined the observe, together with Matthew McConaughey, Glen Powell, Malin Akerman and Adele. Max Verstappen dominated, successful the race with Lando Norris coming in second and Charles LeClerc third. There have been loads of overtakes and on-track motion, however no pink flags. Though the race wasn’t as thrilling because the dash, it was consequential for the motive force’s championship, with Lando narrowing the hole to Oscar Piastri by 14 factors.
And because the solar set on Austin, the town was electrical with bars full of F1 followers, and personal occasions and events, just like the Esses Journal one-year anniversary get together with two particular friends, because the Visa Money App RB drivers Isack Hadjar and Liam Lawson made an look. At the One Get together by Uber, a musical efficiency by the Zac Brown Band opened with a standard Texas rodeo.
Whereas partaking in a BBQ dinner, one other Texas custom, Jak Crawford, an F2 driver and Texas native advised Observer, “My favourite factor about race weekend in Austin is the meals. The brisket, it’s so good right here.” Whereas he hasn’t raced right here but he says, “I can’t wait to drive right here, it may be a very difficult circuit.”
