Miami, Austin and Vegas: How each US race offers its own unique American aesthetics

This week is the final American race of the 2025 Formula 1 calendar – the Las Vegas Grand Prix. While F1 has firmly planted itself in the US, you would be mistaken to think that all three US races are the same. Each race offers an entirely different experience that reflects the diverse personality of America itself.

Whether it’s the lively, beach-inspired atmosphere of the Miami Grand Prix, the sun-drenched Texas deserts of the Circuit of The Americas, or the vibrant nightlife of the Las Vegas Strip Circuit, each American race has its own character.

In just a few years, F1 has exploded in America, and going from just the one race to three has been welcomed with excitement and enthusiasm by drivers and fans alike. Here are some of the elements that epitomise each track.

Miami: coastal glamour meets fast cars

Miami is known for its sandy beaches, Art Deco architecture, and vibrant multiculturalism. And since 2022, F1 has become part of its rich sporting history. The Hard Rock Stadium, where the Miami International Autodrome is located, has hosted six Super Bowls, two Baseball World Series, a Copa America final, and too many rock concerts to count.

The city is bursting with bright colours, floral motifs, and stunning coastal features. If you're not watching the race, then you could be soaking up the sun at a pool party or dancing the night away at a rooftop event – Miami is where the people come to play.

For the past two years, Miami has been drenched in papaya. In 2024, McLaren driver Lando Norris made Miami the home of his maiden win, and in 2025, Oscar Piastri took P1 in the Sunshine State. And the weekend offers plenty of oddities to enjoy. The artificial marina, complete with yachts and fake water, is a favourite among fans.

Plus, let's not forget the 2025 Drivers’ Parade! LEGO F1 cars stole the show that weekend, with many drivers having just as much fun racing the plastic cars as their full-sized ones. The delightful disarray was right at home in Miami, drawing on the city's knack for chaotic fun and its light-hearted spirit.

Exceptional special liveries and helmet designs are a Miami stalwart. The theme often revolves around the ocean, partying and retro vibes. In 2024, Ferrari debuted the SF-24 featuring two historic shades of blue: Azzurro La Plata and Azzurro Dino, celebrating 70 years of Ferrari’s presence in North America.

Racing Bulls always bring the heat with their designs for Miami. In 2024, their rainbow-coloured design paid tribute to the city's vibrant atmosphere, and in 2025, their all-pink livery and team kit, announcing the launch of a new Red Bull drinks flavour, were a huge hit online.

Norris' helmets always catch the eye, like his 2025 disco ball lid which celebrated his maiden win from the year prior. Combined with his basketball and beachball headgear, the Brit has quite the Miami collection.

Celebrities come out in full force in Miami. From Timothee Chalamet, Kylie Jenner and Hailey Bieber to Shaun White, Patrick Mahomes and Tom Brady – you are bound to recognise someone in Miami. The paddock becomes a catwalk of resort wear, bold prints, and designer sunglasses.

Fans embrace the vacation vibe too, turning up in their most Instagrammable outfits. Think linen suits, floral dresses, and plenty of pastels. It's less about hardcore racing gear and more about looking good while you watch the world's best drivers compete in the heat.

The mix of culture, sun and sport is what makes it so special. It's not just an F1 race but a continuation of Miami's place as a sports and party capital. Plus, with Cadillac F1 joining the grid next year and Miami being their home race, there is the potential for even more sun-soaked glam.

COTA: Authentic Americana and motorsport heritage

If Miami brings the party, then Austin brings the legacy. The Circuit of The Americas (COTA) hosted the United States Grand Prix in 2012, marking the return of a US race after a four-year absence. COTA captivates the racing enthusiast, as its design draws from some of the most famous corners on the calendar.

The purpose-built F1 circuit features recreations of Silverstone's Maggots and Becketts, the Senna ‘S’ at Interlagos, and Istanbul Park's Turn 8. Max Verstappen has said how special the track is, with old-school corners that make it "really cool to drive," particularly praising Turn 1's big radius for overtaking opportunities.

Austin is one of F1’s fastest-growing races. When it debuted in 2012, an estimated 117,000 motorsport fans attended, but a staggering 450,000 showed up in 2025. People come for the music festival atmosphere and the spectacular track, which always provides fantastic racing.

COTA's aesthetic is rugged, rural and country. The circuit fully embraces its Americana roots, with Austin, the closest city, a hotbed of country-rock music, Texas barbecue, and a laid-back cowboy attitude. If Miami is where you go to let loose, then Austin is where you go to let go. This is the race for the fans who want authentic, pure motorsport culture.

You can't talk about the Austin without mentioning the fashion. It's the only race where cowboy boots and cowboy hats are basically mandatory wear. Everyone, from fans to drivers, embraces the Western aesthetic. Five-time COTA winner Lewis Hamilton has often gone full Western, arriving at the paddock in unique embroidered shirts and sharp cowboy hats. This year, he went a step further and even tried horse riding for the first time.

COTA also has a tradition called 'Haturday' where fans wear their cowboy hats on Grand Prix Saturday to show Texas pride. It's these little touches that create a palpable sense of community in Austin. As one Texan fan explained, "COTA really cares about the fans and the fan experience, and that creates a stronger community."

Country music had its moment too this year, as Drake Milligan kicked off the inaugural Grid Gigs with a performance of his hits, while rising star Shaboozey had the honour of waving the chequered flag. The singer also helped reveal Racing Bulls’ special tortoiseshell livery, perfectly capturing that Austin country-cool vibe.

Other standout liveries and helmets included Norris' playful American football jersey-themed helmet design, while Piastri went technical with a circuit board-inspired lid, nodding to both McLaren's sponsors and Austin's 'Silicon Hills' hub. For Haas, their home race called for something special, as Ollie Bearman ran with a bold stars-and-stripes design. Williams paid homage to their 2002 livery, marking the year that title partner Atlassian were established, and McLaren went for an iridescent livery enhancement.

There's less glitz at COTA than at the other two American races, but there's something quite magical about the authenticity. It's BBQ and brisket over champagne and caviar. It's cowboy boots over stilettos. It’s dirt and grit over beaches and sand. And the drivers absolutely love it.

Daniel Ricciardo, who famously arrived on horseback wearing a cowboy hat and jacket one year, explains COTA's appeal: "The U.S. Grand Prix is one of my absolute favourite races of the year – the extra energy from the atmosphere is immeasurable, and I love everything about it".

The track itself demands serious respect, and that combination of serious motorsport and laid-back culture means purists and pleasure-seekers can enjoy the weekend alike.

Las Vegas: the ultimate entertainment spectacle

If Miami is the party and Austin is the legacy, then Las Vegas is pure, unadulterated spectacle. The Saturday night race under the neon lights of the Strip isn't just a Grand Prix, it’s an entire production. Vegas itself becomes a character in the race weekend, with its iconic landmarks, temperature swings, and an electric atmosphere that only Sin City can deliver.

The 6.2km, 17-turn street circuit winds its way past iconic hotels, casinos and landmarks at average speeds similar to those at Monza. But it's not just about the racing. With the party spirit alive and well, entertainment off track matches the action on it, making this one of the must-attend events on the F1 calendar.

The aesthetic here is all about metallics, sparkle, luxury streetwear and what can only be described as casino couture. Neon lights bounce off everything – from the cars to the helmets to the outfits in the paddock. It's maximalism in every sense of the word, and teams lean into it with enthusiasm.

George Russell summed up the Vegas vibe perfectly after his 2024 win: "Vegas is just a crazy, crazy place. And when you're driving, you see all of it in the background. I can't even describe this place."

The special liveries for Vegas have become some of the most anticipated reveals of the season. In 2023, Ferrari switched to a striking red-and-white colour scheme that paid homage to its 1970s colours. Red Bull's 2023 Make Your Mark campaign livery featured a purple base with the impression of yellow and pink neon lights flashing down the car. This year, Williams and Racing Bulls are debuting multicoloured liveries that embody the radiance of Las Vegas' iconic bright lights.

Brand activations in Vegas operate on an entirely different level, too. This is where high-end sponsors go all out, where exclusive after parties rule the night, and where the crossover between F1 and entertainment reaches its peak.

Carlos Sainz made history by hosting the 'Smooth Operator' Dance Lounge at ARIA Resort & Casino during the 2024 race weekend - a 12-hour dance party – the first time a driver has hosted such an event during a race weekend.

This year, Papi Steak returns to the Paddock for a second year to transform an official F1 garage into one of Race Week's most exclusive hospitality experiences, blending the celebrity-charged atmosphere of the famed steakhouse with trackside access.

The night race atmosphere is genuinely unique. Racing under the lights with the Strip as your backdrop, the Sphere glowing in the distance, temperatures dropping dramatically as the night progresses – it's an experience unlike any other on the calendar.

The cold night air creates its own challenges too, with track temperatures plummeting and affecting tyre performance in ways that don't happen at traditional circuits. And drivers love the challenge, with Hamilton saying: "I had a blast out there, I feel great, and I'm ready to go again. It's an incredibly fast circuit and I had a lot of fun out there."

Three races, three Americas

What makes F1's American expansion so successful isn't just the three races, it's the contrast between them all. Miami brings the party atmosphere with its coastal glamour and celebrity appearances. Austin delivers authentic motorsport culture wrapped in cowboy boots and country music. Vegas serves up an entertainment spectacle with neon-lit excess.

These races don't compete with each other – they complement each other. They prove that America is too vast, too diverse, and too multifaceted to be captured by just one event. Fans can choose their vibe, or better yet, attend all three and experience the full spectrum of what American F1 has to offer.