Inside Audi’s Luxe First United States Grand Prix Weekend With F1 Academy Driver Emma Felbermayr

Audi arrives in Austin

Audi hosted guests at the 2026 United States Grand Prix at Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas, for its first weekend at the race. The visit combined track access with hospitality experiences around the city.

The writer and her father were driven in a new 2027 Audi Q9. Their driver, Cody, said the vehicle had only 18 miles on it when he picked it up. The writer disclosed receiving free stays, meals and experiences for the story.

A weekend beyond racing

She said she arrived a day earlier, before media day, to do activities specific to each city. She also noted that simulator training helps F1 Academy drivers prepare, but does not replicate the real experience of a packed race weekend.

Getting to know the track

The writer and her father walked around Circuit of the Americas, starting at Turn 1 and heading in reverse track direction to Turn 16. The walk helped them take in the circuit and find places from which spectators could watch the races.

The day also included a stop at the F1 merchandise shops. Later, guests attended “Driven by the Journey,” a dinner partnership involving Audi, 1 Hotels and SingleThread, a three-star Michelin restaurant in Sonoma County, California.

Garage tour and driver Q&A

Guests visited the Audi F1 garage for a private tour, seeing the cars and watching mechanics and engineers prepare for qualifying day. The group later heard Felbermayr speak at a Q&A in the Paddock Club about her time in Austin and her hopes for the rest of the weekend.

The evening continued at Watr, 1 Hotel’s Japanese-inspired rooftop restaurant. The article describes a schedule that paired race preparation with dining and other guest experiences.