Formula One kicks off in Austin

For the 5th year in a row, Formula One is rolling into Austin, Texas.

The city is no stranger to hosting big-time festivals and world class events, but F1 brings a certain kind of international glamour with it.

The event will bring more flights and more passengers to the Austin area. To help everyone fly smoothly throughout the weekend, Austin-Bergstrom International Airport is preparing with extra customer service reps, new air service, and in true Austin style, special live music performances to welcome fans and send them off after the race.

Another thing to keep in mind throughout the races is transportation. Parking is sure to be difficult at COTA, so shuttles will run to and from the track, the Travis Expo Center and the Austin Convention Center in downtown.

People should also expect major delays and changes to normal traffic patterns near COTA. Several roads in downtown will be closed, starting Friday and running through Sunday for the shuttle service. Those include Trinity from Cesar Chavez to 4th Street, as well as 2nd and 3rd Streets from San Jacinto to Trinity.

Space is extremely limited on the shuttles and the cost is $50 per person for a round trip ticket.