Williams, Red Bull and Mercedes among teams offering free fan zones across Austin for US Grand Prix week

Ticketless fans heading to Austin this week have a full schedule of free experiences to choose from, with Williams, Mercedes, Red Bull, Aston Martin and Audi all hosting fan zones across the city during United States Grand Prix week at Circuit of the Americas.

Williams was first to open its doors, with a fan zone at 800 Congress Avenue running Monday 19 October through Saturday 24 October (10am–7pm, Thursday to Saturday). Entry is free and includes a show car, racing simulators, a wind tunnel, a Williams x Marvel comic, and Q&A sessions with driver Alex Albon and team principal James Vowles.

Mercedes opens its fan hub at 400 Congress Avenue from Thursday to Sunday, offering pitstop challenges, simulators, daily giveaways and Texas food vendors — all free of charge. The timing is notable: Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli could clinch the drivers’ championship on Sunday.

Red Bull has the most packed schedule of any team. Alongside power unit partner Ford, the team hosts The Pull Up on Wednesday, featuring Ford Raptor vehicles, an F1 show car, a barbecue and live music. Red Bull Austin Race Nights then run Thursday through Sunday on East Seventh Street, with pitstop challenges, simulators and appearances from Max Verstappen and Isack Hadjar.

Aston Martin is teaming up with the Pink Paddock Club on Wednesday evening for a free women-focused F1 meetup at The Bungalow on Rainey Street, which includes a live podcast recording. Audi’s Black & White Kickoff Party on Thursday at Central Machine Works on East Cesar Chavez Street is free with an RSVP, combining Audi displays, art for sale and DJ sets — guests are asked to dress in black and white.

Driver-owned brands are also making their presence felt. Lando Norris’s LN4 label has transformed a petrol station at 1500 San Jacinto Boulevard into a 1970s-style garage for a new collection running Wednesday through Sunday, while Daniel Ricciardo’s Enchante brand has a pop-up with Ford Racing at Distribution Hall from Thursday, with Ricciardo himself potentially in attendance.

Racing Bulls driver Liam Lawson will make his musical debut at the Esses Bazaar at Inn Cahoots on Thursday evening, though places are limited and an RSVP is required.

For those willing to spend a little, the Road to the Race supercar showcase at the Long Center costs $10 on Wednesday night, and former Haas team principal Guenther Steiner joins The Red Flags Podcast for a live show at ACL Live on Saturday.

The United States Grand Prix at Circuit of the Americas gets underway at 3pm local time on Sunday 25 October.