5 Amazing Moments at the United States Grand Prix (Austin, Texas)
Set in the heart of Texas at the Circuit of The Americas (COTA), the United States Grand Prix in Austin has become one of the most beloved events on the Formula 1 calendar. With its rollercoaster elevation changes, homage to classic corners, and festival-like atmosphere, Austin brings flair, passion, and no shortage of drama. Since its debut in 2012, the race has delivered unforgettable title battles, iconic victories, and moments that continue to shape the modern F1 era.
Let’s revisit five amazing moments that prove the United States Grand Prix at Austin is more than just barbecue and cowboy hats—it’s pure Formula 1 magic.
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2012 – F1 Returns to the USA with a Bang
After years without a US round, Formula 1 made a triumphant return in 2012 with the debut of the Circuit of The Americas. The crowd was electric, the layout was universally praised, and the title fight between Sebastian Vettel and Fernando Alonso came to a head. Lewis Hamilton, however, stole the show. Driving for McLaren, he chased Vettel for much of the race before pulling off a decisive overtake on Lap 42.
It was Hamilton’s final win for McLaren and a proper reintroduction of F1 to the American audience. The duel was clean, fast, and dramatic—the kind of battle fans had been missing. It set the tone for Austin’s place as a must-watch race in the years to come.
2015 – Hamilton Clinches Title #3 in the Rain
Capping off the 2015 title fight in Austin 😮🧢💨
— Formula 1 (@F1) October 20, 2021
Hamilton 🆚 Rosberg#USGP 🇺🇸 #F1 pic.twitter.com/yvxjdFYLwi
The 2015 United States Grand Prix was a wet and wild affair. Torrential rain throughout the weekend set the stage for an unpredictable race, and the action delivered. Hamilton started second behind his teammate Nico Rosberg but took the lead off the line in a controversial move that forced Rosberg wide.
The race saw multiple lead changes and safety cars, but in the closing laps, Rosberg made a crucial error, handing the win to Hamilton—and with it, his third world championship. The crowd erupted as Hamilton celebrated in the pouring rain. The post-race image of him tossing a cap toward Rosberg in the cooldown room became an iconic snapshot of their simmering rivalry. It was Texas-sized drama at its best.
2018 – Räikkönen Rolls Back the Years
Kimi ended a wait of 2,044 days without a win on this day in 2018! 🙌
— Formula 1 (@F1) October 21, 2020
This memorable victory in Austin remains his 21st and most recent#USGP 🇺🇸 #F1 @ScuderiaFerrari pic.twitter.com/GorTofpT55
By 2018, it had been over five years since Kimi Räikkönen last stood on the top step of the podium. But at COTA, the Iceman finally returned to victory lane. Starting from third on the grid, he passed Lewis Hamilton at Turn 1 and managed his pace and tires with classic composure.
Holding off both Hamilton and Verstappen in the closing stages, Räikkönen crossed the line to win his 21st Grand Prix—his first since Australia 2013. The crowd went wild for the veteran’s emotional win, and his radio message (“F— yeah!”) captured the joy and relief of the long-awaited moment. It was vintage Kimi, ice-cold under pressure and warmly received by fans around the world.
2021 – Verstappen vs Hamilton: A Championship Battle Under the Texas Sun
In a year marked by one of the greatest title fights in F1 history, the 2021 US Grand Prix served up another tense chapter. Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton were locked in a high-stakes duel, with Red Bull and Mercedes pulling opposite strategies. Verstappen pitted early, while Hamilton stayed out longer and closed in fast in the final laps.
The suspense built with each passing sector, but Verstappen defended brilliantly, holding off Hamilton by just over a second. It was a masterclass in tire management and strategic execution. With over 400,000 fans attending across the weekend, the race marked a new high for F1’s growing popularity in America—and proved that Austin was now a true title battleground.
2022 – Red Bull Wins for Dietrich, and KMag’s Magical Pole
He took a year out of the sport, but still produced one of his all-time greatest drives 💪
— Formula 1 (@F1) February 27, 2023
Absolute magic from @KevinMagnussen in 2022 #BahrainGP #F1 pic.twitter.com/YXvzdZhqzH
The 2022 weekend was emotional, celebratory, and chaotic all at once. Red Bull clinched the Constructors’ Championship just one day after the passing of team owner Dietrich Mateschitz. Verstappen’s win was hard-fought—he had to recover from a slow pit stop and pass Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton in the closing stages to seal it.
But the weekend’s magic wasn’t just on Sunday. In qualifying for the sprint race, Kevin Magnussen stunned the paddock by putting his Haas on pole position—the team’s first-ever. Though it came in mixed conditions and was later aided by grid penalties, it was a moment of pure joy for a smaller American-backed team at their home race. In true Austin fashion, the weekend was loud, unpredictable, and full of heart.
From title-deciding rainstorms to veteran revivals and championship-defining duels, the United States Grand Prix at Austin has become one of the sport’s essential events. With an atmosphere that fuses American energy with Formula 1 prestige, COTA continues to deliver Texas-sized thrills, season after season.
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