Kevin Magnussen recently visited the Asetek Simsports headquarters for some simulation practice ahead of the US Grand Prix and shared some valuable insights for those looking to navigate the challenging Austin track. This circuit is one of the most technically demanding on the calendar, constantly pushing the limits of both track and drivers. Here’s the note published by Asetek.
The Circuit of the Americas (COTA) was constructed in 2010 and made its debut in endurance racing. Featuring 20 corners, it first entered the Formula 1 scene in 2012. Despite its long straights and high-speed turns, the average speed is not exceptionally high due to several slow and technical sections.
Asetek La Prima Direct Drive Asetek Forte Direct Drive Asetek Invicta Direct Drive The track is undulating, characterized by numerous elevation changes, and it places significant stress on both brakes and tires. Key overtaking opportunities are found at turns 1 and 12.
General Simracing Tips:
- Learn the Track: Spend time lapping the circuit, experimenting with different racing lines and braking points.
- Reference Points: Identify specific markers on the track that serve as braking references.
- Master Corner Techniques: Some corners require a “U-style” approach, with a faster entry and heavy reliance on car rotation, while others benefit from a “V-style” approach, involving a slower entry but a clear path to the apex, allowing for a quicker exit.
- Watch Past Videos: Focus on race starts and perspectives from both the racing simulator and real-world races. This will give you an advantage when the lights go out, as you’ll understand how different scenarios typically unfold.
- Don’t Fixate on the Car Ahead: Similar to driving on the road, don’t solely concentrate on the meters in front. Look beyond the lead car or apex to react more smoothly, gaining an edge in close races and improving your lap times.
- Setup: Once you’ve mastered the above, you’ll be ready to adjust the setup to match your driving style. Setup configuration is a complex aspect of racing, but getting it right is crucial. Familiarize yourself with the basic setup before gradually tweaking different elements to observe the car’s on-track response. Otherwise, you may quickly get lost in the intricacies.
A Lap Around COTA:
- Turn 1: The approach to turn 1 is steep, uneven, and uphill, with a completely blind apex. It’s easy to lock up the brakes here because you’re braking before seeing the apex, requiring you to rely on instinct rather than vision. Accelerating as early as possible is crucial as it leads into the next “S” section comprising turns 3, 4, and 5.
- Turn 2: Full throttle.
- Turns 3, 4, 5: These corners demand significant aerodynamic support. Formula cars really showcase their strengths here. This section is reminiscent of the first sector at Suzuka or the Maggotts, Becketts, and Chapel turns at Silverstone. Like those corners, maintaining a good flow through them, keeping overall speed as high as possible, and using the curbs as much as possible is essential. This means constantly setting up each line for the next turn. Failing at turn 3 results in issues at turns 5 and 6.
- Turns 6, 7, 8, 9: Approaching these turns, you must throw the car into turn 6, decelerating before attempting to turn the car. From turn 8 to 9, you must slow down more than you’d like, or you’ll run wide. Be cautious about track limits at the exit of turn 9 and avoid locking the front wheels.
- Turn 11: A straightforward braking zone, excellent for setting up a pass on the back straight using DRS.
- Turn 12: An intense braking zone and sharp turn. Be careful about locking the brakes on the uneven surface and stay within track limits on the exit. If you’ve set up a pass, be aware that the outside becomes the inside at turn 13. You might consider overtaking to the right of the car ahead. If you choose to do so, be prepared for the car trying to force you off the track, as there’s a wide asphalt runoff alongside you.
- Turns 13, 14, 15: The slowest part of the track and highly technical. It feels like driving in the wet, as the car tends to dance on the grip limit while turning and braking simultaneously. Simultaneously, your tires will overheat, making things even more challenging. At turn 15, turning the car and reaching the apex will be tough but doing so can significantly improve your lap time.
- Turns 16, 17, 18: This section illustrates why you can’t completely eliminate the car’s aerodynamic support. If you’re in a Formula car, you can take these turns flat out, provided you have the necessary aerodynamic grip.
- Turn 19: The penultimate turn. Occasionally, this corner acts as a last-minute passing attempt, as seen with Sebastian Vettel attacking Kevin Magnussen on the final lap in 2022. As the corner descends at the apex, you can carry more speed than you think because the car’s floor is pressed down, improving grip. Track limits become a concern again, as you may be tempted to keep the line as wide as possible.
- Turn 20: Now, you’re approaching the final corner at high speed. It’s especially crucial to brake correctly since it’s the last corner of the track, and you don’t want to spoil your lap. A good tip is to maintain a lot of speed on the entry, making the line wide and using plenty of curb on the exit.
The fastest lap of the 2023 GP was 1:34.538.
Let’s see if you can beat it!
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