More than 10 years have gone by since the Circuit of the Americas made its debut, and yet we are not used to it. It feels twisty and narrow, slippery on some occasions, and extremely unpopular in the racing car games. But hey, the F1 visit it each year and we cannot overlook it either.
From the starting grid, racing drivers face a steep 40-meter climb into Turn 1—a blind, left-hand hairpin that always promises action as drivers fan out across the wide run-off, vying for any early advantage. That opening sector then funnels into a high-speed sequence of S-curves where rhythm and precision are crucial; here, even small mistakes can snowball into lost momentum and positions.
Track Facts:
Since its first race in 2012, COTA has built a reputation for its long straights, flowing corners, and dramatic elevation changes. Stretching 5.513 km with 20 turns, the circuit took inspiration from icons like Silverstone and Hockenheim. The esses in sector one put each car’s aero to the test, while the lengthy back straight creates a hotspot for DRS-powered overtakes. The technical final sector, framed by the stadium’s roaring grandstands, tests braking stability and rewards creative lines.
- First Grand Prix: 2012
- Track Length: 5.513 km
- Number of Laps: 56
- Lap Record: 1:36.169 – Charles Leclerc, 2019
- Most Wins: Lewis Hamilton (5)
- Pole to Turn 1 Braking: ~230 meters
- Safety Car Probability: Moderate to high
- Pit Stop Loss: ~20-22 seconds
What to Watch This Weekend:
- Turn 1 Drama: The climb and blind apex mean virtually everyone arrives side-by-side; the opening lap here is rarely dull.
- Flow Through the Esses: Sectors 3–9 reward commitment, and cars hooked up here can carve through the field or, conversely, lose ground in an instant.
- Overtakes and Strategy: Wide tarmac and heavy braking zones create plenty of passing opportunities, but Austin’s abrasive surface can catch out aggressive tire strategies and force some surprises in the pit lane.
- Unpredictable Weather: From searing heat to sudden storms, Texas weather can flip the script at any moment—teams need to be fast on their feet.
Combining the best elements of classic and modern circuit design, Austin’s COTA never fails to produce a race full of energy, technical intrigue, and the unmistakable buzz of the Texas crowd.
In these articles, we always provide the schedule for each session and some mods to enjoy this combination on Assetto Corsa .
| Session | CET (Madrid/Paris) | CDMX (Mexico City) | EDT (New York) | PDT (Los Angeles) | UTC | AEST (Sydney) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Practice 1 | 17:30 17/10 | 10:30 17/10 | 11:30 17/10 | 08:30 17/10 | 15:30 17/10 | 02:30 18/10 |
| Sprint Qualifying | 21:30 17/10 | 14:30 17/10 | 15:30 17/10 | 12:30 17/10 | 19:30 17/10 | 06:30 18/10 |
| Sprint Race | 17:00 18/10 | 10:00 18/10 | 11:00 18/10 | 08:00 18/10 | 15:00 18/10 | 02:00 19/10 |
| Qualifying | 21:00 18/10 | 14:00 18/10 | 15:00 18/10 | 12:00 18/10 | 19:00 18/10 | 06:00 19/10 |
| Race | 19:00 19/10 | 12:00 19/10 | 13:00 19/10 | 10:00 19/10 | 17:00 19/10 | 04:00 20/10 |
The Cota circuit is not officially available for Assetto Corsa , so we’ve provided links, along with the car and Content Manager. To manage the rest, you can use:
We leave you with some amazing videos in Assetto Corsa:
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