Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team will open a free, immersive fan hub in the heart of downtown Austin during United States Grand Prix week, giving the public direct access to F1 experiences outside the circuit gates.
The hub will operate at 400 Congress Avenue from Oct. 22 through Oct. 25, spanning the full duration of USGP race week. Admission is entirely free.
Visitors can take a turn as a pit stop mechanic on a real F1 car, test their reflexes on professional-grade F1 simulators, and photograph a 2026 Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team show car. The activation also includes a pit wall experience through a “Trackside with Meta AI” installation and a display of historic team memorabilia.
Mercedes-Benz MANUFAKTUR will have a presence at the hub, showcasing the brand’s personalization program alongside the all-new Mercedes-AMG GT 4-Door Coupé. An on-site merchandise store will carry official team gear, and local food vendors will serve Texan cuisine in what the team describes as a “true F1 tailgate experience.” Daily giveaways are also scheduled throughout the four-day run.
The team, which currently leads the Formula 1 World Championship, is positioning the hub as a way to bring fans closer to the behind-the-scenes reality of a Grand Prix weekend without requiring a circuit ticket. The event represents one of the more expansive off-site fan activations staged by an F1 constructor at a race venue.