Full Throttle Access: Day 2 at F1 Circuit of The Americas

After some accessibility struggles on Day 1 at the United States Grand Prix (USGP), we approached Day 2 at Circuit of the Americas (COTA) with a game plan. With the Sprint Race and Grand Prix Qualifying scheduled, there was even more traffic and crowds. Here’s a look at how Day 2 went and how small adjustments made a big difference.

Arriving at COTA and Adjusting Our Seats

Getting to COTA on Day 2 was a bit more hectic than Day 1, with increased traffic and a larger crowd due to the big events on the schedule. Remembering the difficulties we faced with the uneven terrain around our seats on Day 1, we decided to see if we could switch to a section closer to the Grand Plaza. Since the Grand Plaza is paved and concrete, it’s much more wheelchair-friendly.

I also came prepared by bringing my lighter travel wheelchair, making navigation a little easier if needed. Fortunately, the COTA Box Office was accommodating, and we were able to switch our seats to Turn 15, right by the Grand Plaza. This was a game-changer!

Exploring COTA and Enjoying the Events

With our seats now closer to the action and better accessibility, we had a much smoother experience. Arriving early meant we had time to explore, grab some merchandise for Sunday’s Grand Prix, and even enjoy the last laps of the Sprint Race, plus all of Qualifying.

One accessibility issue we did run into, however, was the temporary merchandise stands set up specifically for the F1 weekend. Many of them had steps, which posed a challenge for wheelchair access. Thankfully, my travel chair is light enough that my brother and dad could help lift me up the steps, allowing me to check out the merch.

The View from Turn 15

The new seats at Turn 15 provided a fantastic view of the cars as they came through this part of the track. It was exhilarating to watch them up close, and the accessibility of the seating area made a big difference in allowing me to enjoy the experience fully.

Navigating the Crowds on Our Way Out

As the day wrapped up, the crowd leaving was quite large, with everyone heading out at the same time. Fortunately, people around us were generally mindful of my wheelchair, making room so I could get through. While it was still a bit chaotic, this consideration made the process much easier.

Final Thoughts: A Vastly Improved Day 2 Experience

Day 2 was a huge improvement, and I’d rate it a 4 out of 5 overall. COTA’s willingness to accommodate our seating request and the accessibility-friendly layout of the Grand Plaza made a big difference. Although there are still some areas that could use improvements—like making temporary merch stands wheelchair-accessible—our experience was much smoother, allowing me to fully enjoy the racing atmosphere.

If you’re attending COTA with mobility needs, know that adjustments are possible, and an accessible experience can be achieved with some planning and support. Looking forward to Sunday’s Grand Prix!