After the latest viewer record, Austin is aiming for the magic mark of half a million for Formula 1 in 2023. Track manager Bobby Epstein explains the success.
For the Circuit of The Americas in Austin, this year’s Formula 1 Grand Prix was once again a complete success. And according to track boss Bobby Epstein, the event could reach a race weekend with half a million spectators as soon as next year due to popular fan demand.
A new record in Formula 1 was broken last weekend with 440,000 spectators over three days. In advance, the “COTA” is building a number of new grandstands to accommodate 40,000 additional fans compared to 2021. The transport options to the route have also been improved.
The 500,000 mark for the Grand Prix in Austin is now within reach. Epstein believes it could fall as early as next year. “We can do it,” says the route boss and explains: “We’re testing our bus system this year.”
“It’s much more stable. You go from 300 buses to 600 and if that works then that’s really the litmus test for the system. We need to strengthen public transport, then we can grow. So it could be next year.”
Fan demand is already higher in Austin
In any case, the additional tickets that the track put on sale for this year’s Formula 1 race sold out quickly. And Epstein emphasizes that the demand for tickets has already reached 500,000.
But the most important thing is to offer the fans the best possible experience.
This year, COTA continued its tradition of hosting concerts during the race weekend: Ed Sheeran, Green Day and Interpol performed at the track.
Work has also been done on the food and drink offerings for the fans to offer them a better race weekend.
Epstein explains: “I think it shouldn’t necessarily be about reaching 500,000 viewers, but growing carefully to make sure we can still handle the viewership. That’s what we’re doing.”
American Formula 1 driver could help Austin
“We don’t drive the cars, we have nothing to do with the quality of the race,” the circuit boss continued. “All we can do is take care of the parking, the food, the toilets, the fun and the entertainment. And that’s what we’re focusing on.”
An additional boost could be the prospect of next year’s US Grand Prix likely to feature an American driver for the first time since 2015. Because Williams plans to sign Logan Sargeant – provided he gets an FIA super license.
Epstein believes that given the growth of Formula 1 in the United States, having an American driver on the grid means “more importance now than it did a few years ago”.
“It’s a lot more valuable now than it used to be,” he says.
“If you had asked me that three or four years ago I would have said it would be nice. But now it’s great – great for him,” he said. “But the bigger step will be to get an American in the front row so that people pay attention to him. They want to see winners.”