City: Austin, Texas, USA

Circuit: Circuit of the Americas

Date: October 23–25, 2026

Built specifically to bring Formula 1 back to the United States in style, the Circuit of the Americas opened in 2012 and has been a resounding success. Its first corner which is a steep, blind uphill climb is one of the most dramatic race starts in the sport. Beyond the track, COTA has become famous for blending world-class motorsport with live music and entertainment, with headline performances from global artists making it as much a cultural festival as a race weekend.

City Rating: ★★★★☆     Race Experience: ★★★★☆

Our Verdict: Go for the Race + the Party

THE CITY

Austin is Texas at its most creative and least typical, a liberal university city known for live music, tech culture and some of the best food in the United States. Sixth Street is all live music bars. South Congress has the boutiques and restaurants. The food scene stretches from exceptional BBQ to world-class Mexican and Tex-Mex. Austin is warm, fun and genuinely welcoming.

PRACTICAL FOR AFRICAN TRAVELLERS

Late October in Austin is ideal, so expect warm days around 22 – 26°C, cool evenings and generally clear skies. Austin-Bergstrom airport is well-connected. The circuit is about 15 minutes from downtown by car. Uber is widely used. American tipping culture applies.

WHAT TO EAT

Franklin Barbecue is one of the most celebrated BBQ restaurants in the world, so its queue is long but worth the wait. Terry Black's is an excellent alternative. Veracruz All Natural does breakfast tacos that Austin residents will defend with genuine passion. The food in Austin is great.

THE RACE EXPERIENCE

COTA is a genuinely world-class circuit built specifically for Formula 1. Its dramatic uphill first corner is one of the most exciting race starts in the sport. The fan experience is exceptional, with large screens, extensive fan zones, live music performances from major artists across the weekend and the general feeling that the event is run with genuine care for the audience. The crowd is enthusiastic and the atmosphere is consistently good.

THE HONEST WORD

American race weekends are expensive. Austin is more affordable than Miami or Las Vegas, but hotel prices inflate significantly during race week. Book accommodation early and consider staying slightly outside the city centre. Public transportation in the U.S. is quite unlike most other parts of the world, so car rentals and Uber rides are the way to go here.

City: Abu Dhabi, UAE

Circuit: Yas Marina Circuit

Date: December 4 – 6, 2026

The season finale. The Yas Marina Circuit on Yas Island has hosted the last race of the Formula 1 season since 2009, and its position as the championship closer gives it a weight and drama that no other venue carries. The circuit runs around a marina, underneath a hotel and along the waterfront as the sun sets over the Gulf. Champions are crowned here. Seasons are decided here. And when the final chequered flag falls, it marks the end of another chapter in the greatest motorsport on earth.

City Rating: ★★★★☆     Race Experience: ★★★★☆

Our Verdict: Go for the Occasion — Championship Finale

THE CITY

Abu Dhabi is modern, polished and ambitious. Yas Island, where the circuit sits, is an entertainment district built around the race. Ferrari World (the world's fastest roller coaster), Yas Waterworld and Warner Bros. World are all here. The city itself is quieter and more conservative than Dubai, its flashier neighbour 90 minutes away. The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque is one of the most beautiful buildings in the world and absolutely worth visiting. The combination of Abu Dhabi and a day trip to Dubai makes for a strong overall travel package.

PRACTICAL FOR AFRICAN TRAVELLERS

Early December in Abu Dhabi is perfect, as it’s warm and sunny at 25 – 28°C, no humidity, no rain. The UAE uses the dirham (AED). Flights from Africa connect through numerous hubs, with Etihad, Emirates and multiple African carriers serving the route. Yas Island is a short taxi or bus ride from Abu Dhabi city.

WHAT TO EAT

Abu Dhabi's food scene is international and excellent. Lebanese and Arabic cuisine is the regional highlight, so expect mezze, grilled meats, fresh breads and excellent hummus. The restaurants on Yas Island are good but expensive. Head into the city for more affordable and authentic options.

THE RACE EXPERIENCE

The Yas Marina Circuit is a beautiful venue, with a track that runs underneath the W hotel and along the marina, which makes for spectacular visuals at sunset. However, the circuit is notoriously difficult to overtake on and has produced some of the most processional championship finales in recent memory. The weight of the occasion is that this is the race that crowns or shatters championship dreams.

THE HONEST WORD

The Abu Dhabi Grand Prix is best experienced with a championship battle on the line. In a settled year, it can feel like an expensive anti-climax. The venue and the city are genuinely impressive, but do not expect the race to match Monza or Spa for pure excitement.