Today Formula 1 kicks off at COTA! We know all you race fans have been eagerly waiting for the second installment since the inaugural event wrapped up last year. Despite talks of the race not happening this year, the 2013 Formula 1 race weekend promises to be even more eventful than the first go-round.
Here’s what you’ve got to see, do and experience to fully immerse yourself in everything Formula 1.
Friday
- 7:30am – COTA Opens!
- 9am – Practice Session #1
This is your first chance to see the Formula 1 cars in action.
- 10am – Motostalgia Showcase opens to the public
Come check out pieces of automobile history up close.
- 11am – Luncheon with Racing Legend Sir Jackie Stewart
- 11:30am – Paddock Club Pit Lane Walk
- 1pm – Practice Session #2
When they say Best of Texas they really mean it. This concert is jam packed with some of the best musical talent in the Lone Star State. Grammy winners, nominees, legendary singers and songwriters – they will all take the stage for one night only. The 2013 lineup includes the likes of:
- Robert Earl Keen
- Ray Benson and Asleep at the Wheel
- Carolyn Wonderland
- Rick Trevino
- Marcia Ball
Last year local in-the-know online magazine CultureMap rated the Best of Texas Race Weekend Concert one of the top ten events during Formula 1. The concert organizers have upped the wattage of the second Best of Texas Race Weekend Concert by incorporating some surprise British acts.
It all goes down at ACL Live at the Moody Theater starting at 8pm.
- 9:30pm – My Yacht Club VIP Party
- 10pm – Blu at the W After Party
Once you’re done taking in the Texas tunes head on over to Blu at the W Hotel for an after party to remember. Formula VIP Events is hosting the event alongside Red Bull Austin and Austin Monthly magazine. The entire second floor of the W will be transformed into the hottest party in the city with guests and Formula 1 fans from around the world getting to experience the best that Austin has to offer.
The fun begins as soon as the concert ends and keeps on going until 4am. But you may want to call it a night an hour or two early since tomorrow is the biggest race day of the weekend.
- 10:30pm – Amber Lounge Party (Night 1)
Saturday
- 7:30am – COTA gates open
- 7:30am – Paddock Club Pit Lane Walk
- 9am – Practice Session #3
- 11am – Paddock Club Pit Lane Walk
- 12pm – Qualifying Session
It’s now or never for the race teams if they want to make it to the finals.
- 4pm – Motostalgia Car Auction
All those lovely cars you’ve been eyeing the last few days finally go up for auction.
- 6pm – FULL TILT Fashion Show
This event at Blu at the W is for all the ladies that want to take a break from the racing.
- 7pm – The Velvet Casino Party
The Belmont is transformed into a throwback 50’s inspired Monte Carlo casino for a VIP level shindig complete with a Sinatra cover band and burlesque show.
- 9:30pm – Sting at ACL Live
The legendary singer/songwriter takes to the Moody Theater stage. It’s a great chance to catch him before his Broadway play The Last Ship gets under way.
- 10:30pm – Amber Lounge Party (Night 2)
Sunday
- 7:30am – COTA gates open
- 11am – Paddock Club Pit Lane Walk
- 11:30am – Formula 1 Drivers’ Parade
- 12pm – Formula 1 Watch Party at Liberty Tavern
If you can’t make it to the racetrack the next best place to be during the Formula 1 finals is Liberty Tavern at the Hilton Hotel.
- 1pm – US Formula 1 Grand Prix
The moment you’ve all been waiting for – the Formula 1 finals blasts off around the hairpins and straightaways of COTA.
- 8pm – Blu at the W Red Bull Official After Party
- 8:45pm – Official Infiniti Red Bull Racing After Party
- 10:30pm – Amber Lounge Party (Night 3)
If you aren’t going to the track you can also enjoy the Austin Fan Fest, which is happening downtown all weekend long. Hosted by Shell the event will include 12 activity zones across 12 blocks. With this much going on Formula 1 weekend promises to be the busiest three days the city has seen since ACL.
Image Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Schumacher
Original Source: https://www.royalaustin.com/formula-1/enjoy-all-the-excitement-at-cota-on-formula-1-weekend