I am surprised at how much I have taken to F1 racing. I was never a “car guy.” But something about the simplicity, yet complexity of the sport interests me.
But, I have never actually seen an F1 car in real life.
2026 brings new engine regulations and new teams to the grid.
It is the perfect time to finally witness a Grand Prix. But with 26 races in two dozen countries, the options are plentiful.
The Criteria
I live near St. Louis. Lambert International Airport is “International” in name only. Getting anywhere exciting usually requires a layover in Chicago, Atlanta, or Dallas.
I am also frugal. I will pay for an experience, but I don’t want to pay $500 for a general admission ticket to stand in a parking lot behind a fence.
So, the race needs to be:
- Accessible without a 24-hour travel day.
- Affordable enough that I don’t have to un-retire.
- An actual racetrack, not a parade.
The Immediate “No” Pile
The Middle East (Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Abu Dhabi): Too far. Too hot. Too much sportswashing.
Asia/Australia (Melbourne, China, Japan, Singapore): Simply too far for a first trip.
Monaco: I do not belong in Monaco. The racing is also terrible.
Miami (May 3): A fake marina in a parking lot around a football stadium? Hard pass.
The Contenders
That leaves me with four realistic options.
1. United States GP (Austin) – Oct 25
The Pitch: A purpose-built track (COTA) in America. It has huge elevation changes and real passing opportunities.
The Problem: Getting to the track is a nightmare. Hotels in Austin can also be expensive. Also, late October in Texas can still be hot.
2. Las Vegas GP – Nov 21
The Pitch: It’s Vegas. It’s a spectacle. I can get a direct flight from St. Louis to Vegas easily. The race is at night, so it looks cool.
The Problem: It is November at night in the desert. It will be 40 degrees. The ticket prices are astronomical for a street circuit where you mostly just see cars blur past a casino.
3. Austrian GP – Jun 28
The Pitch: The Red Bull Ring. As a Max Verstappen fan, this is the pilgrimage. It is short, fast, and nestled in the beautiful Styrian mountains. The organization is supposedly top-tier.
The Problem: Getting from St. Louis to Spielberg, Austria is not a direct path. It involves planes, trains, and automobiles. It turns a weekend trip into a week-long European vacation. Which sounds nice, but also expensive.
4. Canadian GP (Montreal) – May 24
The Pitch: The Circuit Gilles Villeneuve is historic. The racing is usually chaotic and exciting. But the biggest selling point? You can take the subway to the track.
The Problem: The calendar. Memorial Day weekend (May 24, 2026) is officially booked with non-racing obligations.
The Decision
I really wanted to go to Montreal. But my friends have an annual camping trip on Memorial Day weekend.
So, I am pivoting. If I cannot take the easy route, I am taking the pilgrimage route.
The Winner is Austria.
Why? The cost offset is real. General Admission/Grandstand tickets in Austria are a fraction of the cost of COTA or Vegas. I can get a weekend ticket for ~$300 USD that would cost $600-$800 in Austin. That difference pays for a good chunk of the flight.
The logistics are efficient (unlike COTA), the vibes will be immaculate (Orange Army), and it is the home race for the team I support. It turns a 4-day trip into a week-long European vacation, but maybe that’s just an excuse to watch Max compete.
