Formula One – This Ain’t NASCAR Barbara Kennedy

I like to think that I’m fairly knowledgable about our world. I am educated, I have done a bit of traveling, and I have learned much from other people, but I simply cannot know everything. When I first heard that Formula One (F1) would have a track just outside of Austin, I expressed concern at the idea of thousands of beer-guzzling car fanatics descending upon our city. (Don’t take that the wrong way, car fanatics and beer guzzlers; I’m not judging you. We’re all friends here.) When I voiced my concerns to a coworker, he clarified that F1 is Grand Prix not NASCAR, as if that were supposed to mean something to me. The incredulous tone in his voice made me feel as if I were one step away from having a dunce cap placed on my head. He reiterated. “It’s Grand Prix. It’s huge!”

I sheepishly questioned, “Like NASCAR but bigger?” His hands flew into the air very dramatically. “No! It’s Grand Prix!” Okay, maybe I’m just dumb, but perhaps using different words might help me learn. Nevermind. I’ll figure this thing out on my own.

After asking around, I learned that F1 is a high-class, worldwide racing event involving some of the fastest cars on the planet. With engineering utilized in the F1 vehicles occasionally making its way to improvements in automobile manufacturing, Formula One proves its value. Not only that, the F1 tracks have hairpin curves, and both right and left turns. Factor in that the wheels are on the outside of the car’s frame allowing for cornering at higher speeds, and many legitimately argue that F1 requires more skilled drivers than NASCAR. While F1 fans claim that their event is superior, NASCAR fans argue that F1 is boring and lacks the overtaking and excitement one traditionally sees in a NASCAR event. They see it as a European thing, like soccer. We’re Americans and we demand action!

With this mentality, how will Formula One fare in the United States? I heard this question repeatedly throughout the weekend, as Austin, Texas has not been the first U.S. city that’s attempted to bring Formula One to America. Having said that, I think the signs are very positive that this may actually catch on here longterm.

One benefit to locating the track in Austin is its proximity to Mexico, and believe me, the Mexican supporters were in full force at the event. Sergio Perez may not have had the best drive of his life, but I would argue he won for having the most fans at the event.

Mexico was not the only country represented though, as people from all over the world descended on Austin, which resulted in mixed feelings from the residents. I spoke with several downtown businesses who said their regulars were nowhere to be found, which made sense given that many Austinites with whom I also spoke did not want to deal with the anticipated traffic nightmare in the downtown area over the weekend.

Of course, this being Austin, you cannot have any event without finding a way to bring music into the equation, and why not? What better way for Austin to legitimize its claim of being the “live music capital of the world” than by showcasing its musical acts on a world stage? Believe me, the world was here, or at least representatives from multiple locales. Initially, it seemed as though seeing any live performance would require the purchase of a ridiculously overpriced ticket, but a free party downtown allowed for those fiscally limited fans to enjoy a piece of this event. Great idea, as I could think of no better way to lure the locals into the downtown chaos than to offer them a rare opportunity to see Austin favorites like Quiet Company and Bob Schneider perform for free.

Almost everyone with whom I spoke was impressed with how smoothly things went for a first time hosting this event. The biggest complaints came from those who attended Friday’s practice run, but by the time Sunday had rolled around for the main event many of the kinks had been worked out. In fact, aside from long lines at the limited food vendors’ booths, news from the track was very positive. Delays were not as lengthy as expected, and people seemed to have enjoyed themselves.

What is it about Formula One that draws people into this event? I spoke with a man from San Antonio regarding his F1 experience. Initially, his passion for high-performance cars sparked his interest in Formula One as it is a vehicle for companies like Ferrari, Porsche, and Mercedes to engineer and showcase better and faster cars. When asked if he felt the sport had a future in Austin, he believed that it did and that it will only get bigger. “The track was spectacular. As a Texan I’m really proud of that track. I think everyone likes it.” He’s already intending to upgrade from general admission to grandstand seating next year, but he also believes others will return time and time again. “It’s a place to see and be seen. There were some of the most staggeringly beautiful people I’ve ever seen in my life.” The international jet-setters were definitely in attendance, and I joked with other locals on how easy they were to spot, given that they were dressed impeccably. We Austin folks tend to be a bit more casual on a Sunday afternoon.

What did I personally think of the event? Well, where to begin? I was born in a small town…wait. Cancel that. Fast-forward. I have never really watched racing, and I know little about high-performance vehicles, except that if you own one, you probably have a whole lot more money than I do. This was my first experience actually watching a Grand Prix race, and despite what NASCAR fans led me to believe, I found it exciting. The first time any drivers went off the track, I became concerned for their safety and engrossed in everything that was happening. Numerous close calls where vehicles almost collided also resulted in gasps from most of us watching, as a small collision could mean the end of the road for a team, but it was the amazing way that Great Britain’s Lewis Hamilton passed Germany’s Sebastian Vettel that got the crowd going bonkers. For me, the only downside was the cheesiness of giving cowboy hats to the top three drivers. Seriously world, we do not all wear cowboy hats in Texas, except when visiting our oil fields or rounding up cattle, of course.

After the Grand Prix ended, I wandered through the downtown section which had racing games, live musical performances, various cars on display, and food and beverages. I watched some of the more lively racing games and laughed as kids and adults played. “The Racing Bug”, with its small remote-controlled cars placed on a track, was by far my favorite spectator game. Ten drivers took the wheel simultaneously and attempted to outdrive everyone else. The announcer added to the entertainment by positioning cars at the start based on various criteria, such as gender and haircuts, and by ribbing the drivers with such quips like, “I’m not saying you’re a bad driver. You’re just worse than anyone else on the course at this time.” Only the sounds of Hudson Moore coming from a nearby stage enticed me away from the game. My weekend ended pretty much as it began, dancing and listening to entertaining musicians. I had a blast, and I have added Formula One’s Grand Prix, along with Fantastic Fest and ACL Fest, to the list of local annual events I must attend. I cannot imagine a better first introduction to a sport that I strongly believe has a long future here in America, and I’m looking forward to next year.