Formula One coming to downtown Austin! Well, sort of

Circuit of The Americas (COTA) is delighted that Infiniti Motor Company Ltd. will help kick off the U.S. Grand Prix weekend with the running of a Formula One car and the Infiniti Q50 Eau Rouge prototype on the streets of Downtown Austin on Wednesday, Oct. 29.

Infiniti Red Bull Racing drivers Daniel Ricciardo and four-time F1 World Champion Sebastian Vettel will drive Vettel’s 2011 championship Formula One car and the 560-horsepower Infiniti Q50 Eau Rouge prototype up and down Congress Avenue in downtown Austin.

The event, which will start at 12 p.m. CDT on the corner of Congress Avenue and Seventh Street, will give fans a preview of the race scheduled for Oct. 31 to Nov. 2 at Circuit of The Americas, the home of Formula One in the United States.

Vettel and Ricciardo will take turns demonstrating the performance of the Formula One car and introduce Austin to the Infiniti Q50 Eau Rouge prototype inspired by Infiniti’s partnership with Infiniti Red Bull Racing. There will also be a drivers’ parade, and a few lucky fans will be selected from the crowd to ride in the Infiniti Q50 Eau Rouge prototype driven by Vettel and Ricciardo.

In just three years, the U.S. Grand Prix at Circuit of The Americas has become a favorite among fans, teams and drivers because of the venue’s world-class facilities, its challenging and exciting 3.4-mile racetrack and the numerous entertainment options throughout the weekend. Tickets are still available for this year’s race, Grand Prix, including a single-day option on race day (Sunday 2nd November). To purchase tickets, visit www.circuitoftheamericas.com/f1.

Also planned at COTA over the race weekend is a post-race concert by Kid Rock at the Austin 360 Amphitheater, recently named by USA Today as one of America’s 10 best concert venues, and the return of Fan Fest, the celebration of speed and music set over multiple city blocks in Downtown Austin.

“We are thrilled that Infiniti Motor Company, Ltd., is providing fans an opportunity to preview the power, speed and excitement of Formula One and the U.S. Grand Prix,” said Dominic Iacono, Circuit of The Americas’ chief marketing officer. “Seeing these amazing cars in action under the Texas Capitol is sure to draw in new fans while adding to the anticipation among long-time Formula One followers.”

COTA