F1 fans begin to arrive at ABIA

AUSTIN (KXAN) - Austin-Bergstrom International Airport is getting ready for a record number of travelers as the Formula One U.S. Grand Prix race and the Thanksgiving holiday converge.

F1 fans have already started to arrive in Austin and are greeted at ABIA with banners welcoming them and a Fisker Karma parked out front.

"We are hoping to have at least 40,000 people coming from Mexico here," said Luis Manuel Lopez, who is broadcasting the race to Latin America.

Mexican driver Sergio Perez is effectively driving in a "home race" so close to the border, which will draw thousands of fans from across the border and across the U.S.

"You have a lot of people coming from L.A. from California from Vegas -- all of them Mexicans trying to come here and support Sergio -- it's going to be a fun, fun weekend for Mexicans," said Lopez. "It's going to be a good experience to have Formula One back in America."

German Oliver Liedgens helped design the Circuit of The Americas for Tilke Engineering in Elroy.

"It's a bittersweet feeling for me, actually, because I spent two years here," said Liedgens. "It's like a baby which starts walking now. Can't wait to see the cars -- to hear the sound and I'm looking forward to seeing it."

Some people at the airport Monday were happy to be leaving Austin, as security lines are already getting long.

ABIA officials expect record numbers of travelers beginning Thursday. There are already 150 reservations for charters, including small planes to 747s, scheduled to arrive in Austin over the next week.

Liedgens believes Austin will eventually have to expand its airport as a result of the track.

"I think there will be a need in the future and it's a great chance for Austin because you have to imagine, Formula One is -- besides the Olympic Games and the soccer World Cup -- the most popular sport on TV. More than a half billion people will be watching Formula One so the focus will be on Austin and you should use this -- but please don't change Austin -- it's such an amazing city," said Liedgens.

Only passengers traveling on international flights which do not make stops before arriving in Austin will go through customs at ABIA.

Airport officials stress that travelers should arrive at the airport no less than two hours before their flights during the next two weeks as Thanksgiving and F1 travelers converge coming and going.