This year I was fortunate to cover my seventh Formula 1 United States Grant Prix at Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas. It's truly amazing to witness the growth the sport has experienced in the United States due in no small part to the Netflix series "Drive to Survive." My first year covering the event was 2015, and were it not for booking Taylor Swift to perform during the Grand Prix in 2016, that could've been the final race in Austin. Instead this year we enjoyed an all-time weekend attendance record for an F1 race weekend.

Formula 1 Goes 'Full Texan" at the 2022 United States Grand Prix in Austin

McLaren F1 Team's Daniel Ricciardo crests the hill at turn 10 with the iconic COTA observation tower in the background as well as the always iconic Texas flag, a physically huge new addition to the track at turn six.
Alfa Romeo's Valtteri Bottas rounds turn 13 with the large stylized Texas flag that is painted on the runoff area of turn 12 in the background during Saturday's qualifying session.
Eventual pole winner Carlos Sainz of Scuderia Ferrari speeds through turn three as seen from the general admission fan area.
Scuderia Alphatauri's driver Pierre Gasly waits at pit exit to take a practice start during FP1 on the opening day of track action.
From left to right, Lewis Hamilton, Max Verstappen, Helmut Marko and Charles LeClerc pose for photos on the podium.
Cars round turn 20 just before half-distance during the race, having been bunched together during a 'safety car' period after Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll were involved in an on track collision.
The "Fan Track Invasion" takes over the hill at turn one at the conclusion of this year's Grand Prix.
The view from thet op of turn one provides a sprawling look at the Circuit of the Americas campus with the Austin skyline visible in the distance.
With Austin's proximity to Mexico there has always been a large contingent of fans attending the race from South of the border. This has made Sergio "Checo" Perez one of the crowd favorites at the United States Grand Prix.
Max Verstappen powers up towards turn one leading Charles LeClerc.
Red Bull Racing’s Max Verstappen crests the hill at turn 10 with a giant Texas flag waving in the background.
McLaren F1 driver Daniel Ricciardo, as is his tradition, once again has fully adopted his cowboy persona on his return to Texas for the United States Grand Prix, going so far as to arrive to the paddock via horseback.
Eventual race winner, and recently crownded two-time world champion Max Verstappen exits turn one as he built a solid—if not commanding—lead at the beginning of the race..
The back of Haas F1's Kevin Magnussen's car scrapes along the tarmac sending up a shower of sparks as he speeds through turn three early in the race on Sunday.
Racing legen Mario Andretti preparing to get out of the car after his demonstration laps.
As in years past the Longhorn Band from the University of Texas played a big role—literally and figuratively—in the pre-race festivities.
At the start of the race, pole sitter Carlos Sainz unfortunately found himself facing the wrong direction after contact with George Russell as they rounded turn one. To add insult to injury, that contact resulted in damage to his car forcing him to retire from the race, ruining what had started out as such a promising day initially.
Sebastian Vettel’s Aston Martin speeds past the turn 15 grand stand during qualifying of the 2022 Formula 1 Aramco United States Grand Prix.
Scuderia Ferrari performs pit stop practices on Thursday evening prior to track action starting on Friday.
Aston Martin Aramco Cognizant F1's driver Sebastian Vettel speeds through turn six at Circuit of the Americas during FP3 of the 2022 Formula 1 Aramco United States Grand Prix.
Fans of newly crowned two-time World Champion Max Verstappen look into the Red Bull Racing garage during the fan pit walk event on Thursday evening.
Haas F1's drivers Kevin Magnussen (left) and Mick Schumacher (right) take part in a fan team experience in the Germania Insurance Amphitheater.
The horse driver Daniel Ricciardo arrived to the paddock on in front of the McLaren F1 hospitality area, with required "F1 VIP" lanyard to insure no one harrased him on the way in.
A more complete view of the giant Texas flag at turn six. Because as they say, everything is bigger in Texas.
The timing tower located at the pit lane exit.
BWT Alpine F1 Team's Fernando Alonso exits turn one as the sun begins setting on the first day of running for the weekend.
Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team's driver George Russell leaves the pit lane during the first Formula 1 practice session of the weekend.
Oracle Red Bull Racing's Max Verstappen stands atop his car as he celebrates taking victory at the 2022 Formula 1 Aramco United States Grand Prix at Circuit of the Americas.
When your a beverage company sponsored team and you have reason to celebrate, you spray said beverage over everyone instead of champaign. At the conclusionof their celebratory group photo Red Bull team members scatter in all directions as Red Bull drinks spray everywhere.
Published by Matthew Wetzler in Blog, Motorsport
Tags: austin, Circuit of the Americas, F1, Formula 1, Motorsport, texas, Texas Highways