Tickets Available at $350 for F1 GP at Circuit of the Americas on Costco, What Services Will Be Included?

You know how popular Formula 1 has become in the United States if tickets for a Grand Prix weekend are being sold at Costco—in its warehouses and online portal. If you don’t know what Costco is, it’s a multinational corporation that operates a chain of membership-only warehouse clubs and revolves around selling products in large quantities at discounted prices to its members. Now, wouldn’t getting F1 tickets at a discounted price, almost $100 cheaper than usual, be a steal? Because that’s what Costco is offering.

Turn Formula 1 into an entertainment brand and bring it back to the success it deserves. This was American conglomerate Liberty Media’s objective when it took over F1 in 2017. Besides this, one of its other aims was to help the sport gain traction in the US. Now that F1 will visit the US three times every year because of how much it’s grown there, it’s safe to say Liberty Media has achieved that milestone too. This popularity is why you could get your hands on a 3-day ticket to the US GP at the Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas, for just $350. Here’s what you’ll get access to after buying this ticket.

What would be included in your ticket to the US GP?

The Circuit of the Americas—commonly known as COTA—joined the F1 calendar in 2012. Ever since then, the circuit has become an F1 staple, loved by drivers and fans alike. And your ticket to the US GP would allow you to experience COTA for what it is.

This season, the F1 circus is visiting COTA from the 20th to the 22nd of October. As part of your experience, the $350 ticket would grant you a 3-day Grounds Pass. At COTA, that would mean you can view on-track action from any of the grassy areas around the circuit, just not from the grandstands or bleachers. What’s good about it is that you can choose where you want to watch the action, instead of being restricted to just one seat.

The General Admission Grounds Pass is a popular Grand Prix-watching option for fans because of the freedom to explore. Instead of the usual prices for it that start at around $428, Costo has almost a $100 discount. Once you’ve booked your tickets, your wristbands for access will be available at the Grand Plaza Box Office, which, as per kvue.com, will be located between Parking Lots B and D and between Turns 19 and 16.

While the Grounds Pass won’t give you access to the Paddock or the Grandstands, it would give you the opportunity to explore COTA and witness the on-track racing that is bound to happen from wherever you’d like. And what could be better than that? To plan your weekend and know what you’ll be in for, here’s what will go down at COTA this season.

What can you expect at the 2023 US Grand Prix?

COTA has become one of the most famous circuits in the calendar primarily because of its track layout that generates exciting races. Largely inspired by other race tracks, the first sector has a series of esses like Suzuka, while the third sector has a lower speed complex similar to that of Hockenheim. If you’re looking for overtaking opportunities, Turns 1, 11, and 12 would be suitable vantage points for you.

After F1 increased its Sprint races from three to six this season, COTA was added as one of the venues to host a Sprint weekend. So this season, you’ll get double the qualifying sessions and double the racing excitement. And, as always, the COTA weekend is set to impress anyone who tunes in.

Read More: King of COTA Lewis Hamilton Reveals Secret to Success in the States: “This Track Is Very Special”

Apart from the on-track action, you’re bound to witness Daniel Ricciardo in his element. Because every season, he turns up in his cowboy attire and graces the F1 community with his cowboy-ness. Having arrived on horseback last year, the Aussie would try to make an even better entrance this time around. As excited as Daniel would be for the weekend in COTA, he’s also looking forward to the Las Vegas GP. Wondering whether you can make an appearance there as well?

Will tickets to the Las Vegas GP be as affordable?

Six years ago, Daniel Ricciardo said he wanted a race in Las Vegas. Well, Liberty Media fulfilled Ricciardo’s wish. F1 announced last season that the circus would be heading to Las Vegas this year. But as F1 heads back to Vegas after 41 years, it’s not without a few problems for spectators financially. 

F1 expects 100,000 spectators on all three days of the Las Vegas GP and estimates a $1.3 billion profit for the weekend. But, considering it’s a street circuit, F1’s demanding licensing fees from venues around the track. According to sources, “F1 is seeking $1,500 per head for licensing rights. For establishments such as restaurants and clubs with a seating capacity of 1,500, the licensing tab would soar to a staggering $2.25 million.” While the Grounds Passes, as per F1.com, start at around $500 per person, if you’re just a bystander, you might have to pay upwards of $2500 for just sitting at a venue next to the circuit.

With how much F1 is growing in the US, Las Vegas GP tickets might just make their way to Costco at a discounted price as well. But for now, are you going to take Costco up on its $350 offer for the US GP?

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