Dazzling photos from the United States Grand Prix show what a success Formula 1 has become in the US

Cork GainesOct 25, 2021, 23:08 IST

Red Bull's Dutch driver Max Verstappen races during the Formula One United States Grand Prix at the Circuit of The Americas in Austin, TexasJIM WATSON/AFP via Getty Images

More than 350,000 fans attended Formula 1's US Grand Prix over the weekend at the Circuit of the Americas in Austin, TX.
Max Verstappen won the race, but the weekend's biggest winner was Formula 1, as its US experiment has been a huge success and is here to stay.

Red Bull driver Max Verstappen races in front of the iconic tower at the Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas.

Red Bull's Dutch driver Max Verstappen races during the Formula One United States Grand Prix at the Circuit of The Americas in Austin, Texas JIM WATSON/AFP via Getty Images

Here is the view from the tower.

A fan watches the third practice session from the tower at the Circuit of The Americas in Austin, Texas ROBYN BECK/AFP via Getty Images

The crowds were enormous all weekend. This was the scene for qualifying on Saturday.

Spectators watch the qualifying session at the Circuit of The Americas in Austin, Texas JIM WATSON/AFP via Getty Images)

More than 350,000 showed up over the weekend including more than 140,000 on Sunday for the race.

Another view of Sunday's crowd.

The diehards were out, including this Red Bull fan.

Fans arrive before a practice session for the Formula One U.S. Grand Prix auto race at at the Circuit of the Americas Nick Didlick/AP

Mercedes driver Valtteri Bottas climbs into his car.

Mercedes driver Valtteri Bottas, of Finland, climbs into his car during a practice session for the Formula One U.S. Grand Prix auto race at the Circuit of the Americas Darron Cummings/AP

McLaren driver Daniel Ricciardo took Dale Earnhardt's 1984 NASCAR car for a spin in the track.

McLarens Australian driver Daniel Ricciardo drives the NASCAR 1984 Dale Earnhardt Cup car on the track at Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas JIM WATSON/AFP via Getty Images

Ricciardo was even more smiles than usual this weekend.

McLaren driver, Australian, Daniel Ricciardo speaks to the media in the paddock before the Formula One United States Grand Prix race at the Circuit of The Americas in Austin, Texas ROBYN BECK/AFP via Getty Images

And even had the "Hook 'Em" sign down pat.

McLaren driver Daniel Ricciardo, of Australia, waves to fans before the Formula One U.S. Grand Prix auto race at the Circuit of the Americas Darron Cummings/AP

Lewis Hamilton's car sits in the garage waiting for the race.

Mercedes' British driver Lewis Hamilton's car is maintained in the pits prior to the third practice session at the Circuit of The Americas in Austin, Texas JIM WATSON/AFP via Getty Images

Later it was on the track reaching speeds up to 200 mph.

Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton, of Britain, drives during a practice session for the Formula One U.S. Grand Prix auto race at the Circuit of the Americas Nick Didlick/AP

Red Bull driver Sergio Perez, left, and Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton fist bump after qualifications.

Red Bull driver Sergio Perez, left, of Mexico, and Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton, of Britain, fist bump after qualifications for the Formula One U.S. Grand Prix auto race at the Circuit of the Americas Darron Cummings/AP

But it was Max Verstappen who was on the pole and got the tiny tire.

Red Bull driver Max Verstappen, of the Netherlands, reacts after winning the pole for the Formula One U.S. Grand Prix auto race at the Circuit of the Americas Darron Cummings/AP

Alpine driver Fernando Alonso speeds around Turn 1 in front of the fans.

Alpine's Spanish driver Fernando Alonso takes a turn as he races during the qualifying session at the Circuit of The Americas in Austin, Texas JIM WATSON/AFP via Getty Images

Verstappen fans supported their driver with a Texas Longhorns twist.

Fans of Red Bull's Dutch driver Max Verstappen wait for the start of the Formula One United States Grand Prix at the Circuit of The Americas in Austin, Texas JIM WATSON/AFP via Getty Images

Shaquille O'Neal was in pit lane before the race.

Shaquille O'Neal greets people in the pit lane before the Formula One United States Grand Prix at the Circuit of The Americas in Austin, Texas DARRON CUMMINGS/POOL/AFP via Getty Images

A lot of celebrities showed up, including Serena Williams, Rory McIlroy, and Megan Thee Stallion.

US rapper Megan Thee Stallion looks at the media in the pit lane before the Formula One United States Grand Prix at the Circuit of The Americas in Austin, Texas DARRON CUMMINGS/POOL/AFP via Getty Images

Ferrari's Charles Leclerc leaves the pits.

Ferrari's Monegasque driver Charles Leclerc leaves the pits during the qualifying session at the Circuit of The Americas in Austin, Texas DARRON CUMMINGS/POOL/AFP via Getty Images

The weather was spectacular, although a little warm for the drivers.

The iconic tower and record crowds watch Max Verstappen (44) during the Formula1 Aramco United States Grand Prix held October 24, 2021 at the Circuit of the Americas in Austin, TX Allan Hamilton/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

Drivers race up the 13-story hill into Turn 1 and near the tire marks left by Ricciardo who did burnouts in Earnhardt's car.

Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton, of Britain, gets past Red Bull driver Max Verstappen, of the Netherlands in the first turn at the start of the Formula One U.S. Grand Prix auto race at the Circuit of the Americas Eric Gay/AP

Verstappen takes a turn on the track.

Red Bull's Dutch driver Max Verstappen takes a turn as he races during the qualifying session at the Circuit of The Americas in Austin, Texas JIM WATSON/AFP via Getty Images

Aston Martin's Sebastian Vettel races down the main straightaway.

Aston Martin's German driver Sebastian Vettel races down the main straightaway during the qualifying session at the Circuit of The Americas in Austin, Texas DARRON CUMMINGS/POOL/AFP via Getty Images

Verstappen, left, and Hamilton battle for the lead on the first lap.

Red Bull's Dutch driver Max Verstappen (L) and Mercedes' British driver Lewis Hamilton (R) lead racers at the start of the Formula One United States Grand Prix at the Circuit of The Americas in Austin, Texas ROBYN BECK/AFP via Getty Images

The beauty of Formula 1 cars is unmatched.

Red Bull's Mexican driver Sergio Perez races ahead of Ferrari's Monegasque driver Charles Leclerc (16) and Ferrari's Spanish driver Carlos Sainz during the Formula One United States Grand Prix at the Circuit of The Americas in Austin, Texas ROBYN BECK/AFP via Getty Images

Celebrating by spraying a Topo Chico is so Texas.

Fans of Red Bull's Mexican driver Sergio Perez celebrate after he placed third the Formula One United States Grand Prix at the Circuit of The Americas in Austin, Texas JIM WATSON/AFP via Getty Images

Max Verstappen won the race.

Red Bull's Dutch driver Max Verstappen celebrates on the podium winning the Formula One United States Grand Prix at the Circuit of The Americas in Austin, Texas ROBYN BECK/AFP via Getty Images

But all eyes were on Shaq on the podium.

Second place Mercedes' British driver Lewis Hamilton (2nd L) celebrates alongside winner Red Bull's Dutch driver Max Verstappen (R) and former NBA star Shaquille O'Neal (C) after the Formula One United States Grand Prix at the Circuit of The Americas in Austin, Texas JIM WATSON/AFP via Getty Images

Fans raced down the hill to get a good view of the podium celebration.

F1 fans race down the hill from turn 1 to get a closer look at the drivers and watch the trophy presentations following the Aramco U.S. Grand Prix at Circuit of the Americas on October 24, 2021 in Austin, TX Ken Murray/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

These fans of Verstappen were happy.

Fans storm the track after Red Bull driver Max Verstappen won the Formula One U.S. Grand Prix auto race at Circuit of the Americas Eric Gay/AP

It seems pretty clear that F1 is here to stay in the US.

People gather under a screen announcing Red Bull's Dutch driver Max Verstappen nexto the winner's podium at the Formula One United States Grand Prix at the Circuit of The Americas in Austin, Texas ROBYN BECK/AFP via Getty Images

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