2025 United States Grand Prix - COTA, Oct 17 - 19

[MtthsMlw]

Tyre selection
C1 - C3 - C4

2024 Results
Qualifying


Race




2024 Pole Lap
2024 Race Highlights
Schedule and more information -> SPRINT™ weekend

[euv2]

Best track on the calendar for racing bar none. Only one with roads wide enough for multiple cars and racing lines. Always some exciting action with the dive bombs, hopefully we have another close weekend between the MCLs, Max and anyone else that decides to show up.

[AR3-GP]

I give Norris a lot of schtick but he's quite brave. This was the best battle last year. This is also why you need drivers from different teams for a real contest. Mclaren would never let Oscar and Lando race like this.

[basti313]

What do you think the pace delta is if you want to make an overtake here? Probably bigger than last year considering the convergence of the field.

No idea, but generally COTA is not a track where overtaking is difficult - the back straight is really long and even though the pit straight isn't lengthy, T1 is uphill and wide enough to offer different lines for a late-braking attack. So both T12 and T1 should see a lot of overtaking

I am moving this discussion to this thread as I think it does not make sense in the team thread.

I do not think one can tell this so easily. We saw last year, that Lec could simply pass Pia with about 1sec in his pocket (or more, might have been saving already). The same second that Russel and Norris showed after their pitstops and after the overtake, but they had real trouble overtaking the Bulls.
So you need above a second, still.
And the race last year was very split on overtakes: There were nearly no overtakes on equal age tires. I can only find one where Tsunodas tires gave up before his stop. But this should have influence on the pit strategy this year: RedBull pitted because of the McLaren approaching. But in the end everyone pitting early (except for Ferrari, too fast) rather lost positions. Going long was king.
As they went harder on the tires, it will be a tire saving festival if the C1 is usable. I hope it is useless.

[JPower]

As they went harder on the tires, it will be a tire saving festival if the C1 is usable. I hope it is useless.

From what I remember, they had the C1 at Spa and only 2-3 drivers used them. They might be more useful at COTA given the heat expected. If they can get fired up quickly, would not be surprised if some start on the Hards.

[zeph]

This will be my first time attending a GP, my wife got us tickets for T15 grandstand. Great seats, but no video screen, so I'll have to watch the race on my iPad or something.

[Vettel165]

All we need is a Max sprint and race win with Piastri coming up in fourth position... Lando can finish in third or second place. I want to see in the last 6 races, Verstappen and Red Bull being the dominant force and just destroying the field. Then the small chance is there.... Otherwise if the gap doesnt go below 40-45 points after Mexico, it will be again just the Mclaren duo with the shot for the title. If not my guy, I want to see Piastri really as a champion. The way the team is doing things against him its definitely a big disgrace....

[boiler]

This will be my first time attending a GP, my wife got us tickets for T15 grandstand. Great seats, but no video screen, so I'll have to watch the race on my iPad or something.

there are two that you can see from t15,one on the left coming out of 15 and one before the bridge

[zeph]

Thanks. I saw that second screen but it’s a bit far from where we are sitting (section 5). Hadn’t seen the first one you mentioned, will check it out

[venkyhere]

What do you think the pace delta is if you want to make an overtake here? Probably bigger than last year considering the convergence of the field.

No idea, but generally COTA is not a track where overtaking is difficult - the back straight is really long and even though the pit straight isn't lengthy, T1 is uphill and wide enough to offer different lines for a late-braking attack. So both T12 and T1 should see a lot of overtaking

I am moving this discussion to this thread as I think it does not make sense in the team thread.

I do not think one can tell this so easily. We saw last year, that Lec could simply pass Pia with about 1sec in his pocket (or more, might have been saving already). The same second that Russel and Norris showed after their pitstops and after the overtake, but they had real trouble overtaking the Bulls.
So you need above a second, still.
And the race last year was very split on overtakes: There were nearly no overtakes on equal age tires. I can only find one where Tsunodas tires gave up before his stop. But this should have influence on the pit strategy this year: RedBull pitted because of the McLaren approaching. But in the end everyone pitting early (except for Ferrari, too fast) rather lost positions. Going long was king.
As they went harder on the tires, it will be a tire saving festival if the C1 is usable. I hope it is useless.

Teams run the risk of slapping on too much wing, going beyond the point of diminishing returns (provides no additional benefit in terms of minimizing tyre sliding) & then getting hurt in the straights w.r.t defending/overtaking. The key is to get the perfect compromise, obviously. And many have got it wrong at COTA in the past.

Redbull has an advantage over McLaren in terms of DRS efficiency whilst McLaren enjoys much superior tyre heat management. Mercedes is unpredictable, a lottery. It will be a classic battle of attrition, I guess.

With only 1 practice session, I'm guessing teams will treat the sprint(S) as 'long run data' and focus on SQ setup in the practice. Then, post S, before Q, will make changes to bring it towards what they think is the R setup, and leave it there, not bothering too much about starting grid position. My guess is that the race is going to be about tyres (especially with the 'gapped' C1 being H, as you mention) and starting position isn't really going to matter as much as in other races.

[search]

Any idea what's the state of the track? Last year it was resurfaced, so less bumpy for the race, but usually it gets worse quickly again.

[De Wet]

Google:

The weather at the Circuit of The Americas (COTA) for the upcoming race weekend is expected to be hot and sunny, with highs reaching up to \(33-34\degree C\) (\(91-93\degree F\)). There is a slight chance of a stray shower or thunderstorm, particularly on Saturday, but a significant chance of rain is not expected, though conditions could change...

The Hotter the Better.

[dren]

This will be my first time attending a GP, my wife got us tickets for T15 grandstand. Great seats, but no video screen, so I'll have to watch the race on my iPad or something.

Should be in a good spot to see turn 12 overtaking. It's a great track to attend in person. You'll enjoy it!

[organic]

I'm expecting drama with the runoffs here as always, no doubt involving Verstappen

[zeph]

This will be my first time attending a GP, my wife got us tickets for T15 grandstand. Great seats, but no video screen, so I'll have to watch the race on my iPad or something.

Should be in a good spot to see turn 12 overtaking. It's a great track to attend in person. You'll enjoy it!

Yeah, look fwd to it! Hoping for a good result for Alonso.