Circuit of the Americas is the purpose-built Texas track that gives Formula 1 its biggest American stage. It opened in 2012 and became the home of the United States Grand Prix. So this guide covers where it sits and what makes its corners special.
WHERE IS CIRCUIT OF THE AMERICAS LOCATED
Circuit of the Americas sits in southeastern Travis County, about 15 miles (24 km) from downtown Austin. The address is 9201 Circuit of the Americas Blvd, Austin, TX 78617. Austin-Bergstrom International Airport lies roughly 9 to 10 miles away. So the drive from downtown takes 20 to 30 minutes in normal traffic.
The site covers about 1,500 acres of former ranchland in the Texas Hill Country. It holds around 120,000 spectators on race weekends. A 251 ft (77 m) observation tower rises above the Grand Plaza.
Beyond that, the venue also hosts an amphitheater and a karting track. An RV park and, since 2026, the COTALAND theme park complete the site.
KEY CIRCUIT STATISTICS
COTA Key Facts
| 📍 Location | Austin, Texas |
| 🆕 First F1 Race | 2012 |
| 📏 Circuit Length | 5.513 km |
| 🔄 Corners | 20 |
| 🏎️ Race Laps | 56 |
| 📐 Race Distance | 308.405 km |
| ↩️ Direction | Counterclockwise |
| 📏 Track Width | 12.8 to 15.8 (42–52 ft) m |
| ⛰️ Elevation Change | ~40 m |
| 🏗️ Circuit Architect | Hermann Tilke |
| 🏆 Most F1 Wins | Lewis Hamilton (5) |
| ⏱️ Lap Record | 1:36.169 Leclerc, 2019 |
HOW LONG IS CIRCUIT OF THE AMERICAS
Circuit of the Americas measures 5.513 km (3.426 miles) per lap. A full Grand Prix covers 56 laps and 308.405 km. The layout has barely changed since 2012. Even so, the surface has changed.
COTA resurfaced the track in phases and finished a major project in 2024 after complaints about bumps and drainage. Other series use shorter layouts, including a 2.400 mile (3.862 km) NASCAR configuration with 17 turns that debuted in 2025.
How Many Corners Does Circuit of the Americas Have
Circuit of the Americas has 20 corners on the Grand Prix layout. The most famous run is the Esses at Turns 3 to 6. Hermann Tilke modeled it on Silverstone’s Maggotts and Becketts.
THE ESSES SEQUENCE EXPLAINED
The Esses are a high-speed run of left-right-left-right changes of direction through Turns 3 to 6. Drivers enter at around 290 km/h (180 mph). Then they must flick the car through each apex without losing balance. So downforce and precision matter more here than anywhere else on the lap.
It works like the esses corner type we break down in our corner guide. After the sequence, the track switches back into the technical middle section. From there, a long back straight follows Turn 11.
WHAT DO THE CIRCUIT OF THE AMERICAS CORNER NAMES MEAN
Only a few corners at Circuit of the Americas carry official names, and most honor people behind the track. Turn 1, Big Red, honors early investor Red McCombs, and the circuit renamed it in December 2020. It is a blind uphill left-hander at the crest of the climb.
Turn 11, the Bobby Pin, honors chairman and co-founder Bobby Epstein. It is a tight hairpin that feeds the back straight.
Turn 20, The Andretti, took its name in 2022 for racing legend Mario Andretti. The triple-apex right-hander at Turns 16 to 18 has no popular name. Even so, it copies the famous Turn 8 at Istanbul Park.
WHAT IS CIRCUIT OF THE AMERICAS LIKE TO DRIVE
Circuit of the Americas is a flowing, high-commitment track with dramatic elevation. The lap opens with a steep climb of roughly 40 m (133 ft) to Turn 1. After that, the Esses test the car at speed. Then the Bobby Pin slows everything before the long back straight.
Turn 12 sits at the end of that straight and offers the best passing chance on the lap. Turn 1 offers the other. The 2026 cars also use Overtake Mode on the straight. So first-lap chaos at Big Red often shapes the whole race.
Setup becomes a compromise. Teams need downforce for the Esses and the stadium section, but they also need speed on the straight. The triple-apex right-hander at Turns 16 to 18 punishes any poor exit onto the final two corners.
THE HISTORY OF CIRCUIT OF THE AMERICAS
Promoter Tavo Hellmund conceived Circuit of the Americas around 2010 with motorcycle champion Kevin Schwantz. They wanted a permanent American home for Formula 1 after Indianapolis dropped off the calendar in 2007.
Investor Red McCombs backed the project, and Bobby Epstein later became chairman. Builders broke ground on 31 December 2010 on undeveloped ranchland in southeastern Travis County.
Hermann Tilke designed the layout and borrowed ideas from classic European corners. Funding delays followed, and Bernie Ecclestone threatened to cancel the race in late 2011. Even so, crews laid the final asphalt in September 2012.
The circuit opened to the public on 21 October 2012. Andretti drove the first official laps in his Lotus 79.
The First Grand Prix In 2012
Lewis Hamilton won the first Grand Prix at Circuit of the Americas on 18 November 2012. He started second and passed Sebastian Vettel late on the back straight into Turn 12. Vettel finished second and Fernando Alonso third. Around 117,000 fans watched the first United States Grand Prix since 2007.
BEST PLACES TO WATCH AT CIRCUIT OF THE AMERICAS
The best place to watch is the Turn 1 grandstand at Big Red. It shows the dramatic uphill start and the first-lap fight into the hairpin. Elevation also gives fans a clear view back down the field.
Turn 12 at the end of the back straight is the best spot for overtaking. Heavy braking there produces regular passes. At the same time, the general admission areas around the Esses and the Bobby Pin give strong sightlines too. The observation tower adds a panoramic view of the whole circuit.
HOW TO GET TO CIRCUIT OF THE AMERICAS FROM AUSTIN
The easiest way to reach Circuit of the Americas on race weekend is the official shuttle from downtown Austin. Shuttles leave from the Waterloo Park area and cost from around $49.
A cheaper option runs from the Travis County Expo Center in northeast Austin. Both use dedicated lanes and drop fans at the Grand Plaza gates. Driving takes about 20 to 30 minutes outside race weekends, usually via the SH-130 toll road.
Race weekends are much slower because two-lane approach roads clog quickly. Every on-site lot needs a pre-purchased parking pass. So the shuttle saves most fans plenty of stress.
Rideshare drivers drop passengers at McAngus Lot, about 3.5 miles from the circuit. A transfer of 15 to 20 minutes then reaches the gates. Surge pricing is common after the race. For session times and weekend details, see our Austin Grand Prix 2026 race guide.
CAN YOU VISIT CIRCUIT OF THE AMERICAS
Yes, you can visit Circuit of the Americas outside major race weekends. The venue offers karting, driving experiences, amphitheater concerts and the COTALAND theme park. RV camping also runs on site, and COTA holds occasional open days. Check the official COTA website for current schedules and ticket rules.
For F1 week, the new $20 Thursday pass includes the pit lane walk. Our Austin Grand Prix tickets guide explains how to claim it.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Where is Circuit of the Americas located?
Circuit of the Americas is at 9201 Circuit of the Americas Blvd in Austin, Texas. It sits about 15 miles (24 km) southeast of downtown.
How long is Circuit of the Americas?
The lap measures 5.513 km (3.426 miles). A 56 lap race covers 308.405 km.
How many corners does Circuit of the Americas have?
The Grand Prix layout has 20 corners. The Esses at Turns 3 to 6 are the most famous sequence.
Which corners at Circuit of the Americas are the fastest?
The Esses at Turns 3 to 6 are the fastest sequence. Drivers enter at around 290 km/h (180 mph).
Who owns Circuit of the Americas?
Circuit of the Americas LLC owns and runs the venue. Red McCombs and Bobby Epstein were key early figures.
Who designed Circuit of the Americas?
Hermann Tilke designed it with input from promoter Tavo Hellmund and motorcycle champion Kevin Schwantz.
What is the lap record at Circuit of the Americas?
Charles Leclerc set the Formula 1 lap record, a 1:36.169 in a Ferrari in 2019.
Can you visit Circuit of the Americas outside race weekends?
Yes. The circuit offers karting, driving experiences, concerts and COTALAND outside major events.
