Why COTA rewards rhythm — and punishes impatience

Circuit of the Americas is a hybrid: Silverstone‑style flow in Sector 1, a Bahrain‑like heavy‑brake pass in Sector 2, and a technical, traction‑sensitive Sector 3. In 2025, it’s also a sprint weekend (17–19 Oct), which means two scoring sessions and parc fermé constraints from Saturday morning. With no fastest‑lap point in the modern Formula 1 points system, finishing positions do all the scoring — so clean execution beats heroics.

If you’re new to how points work in 2025 or how shortened races are handled, read these quick explainers:

Sector 1: The Esses (T2–T6) — flow equals lap time

From the uphill launch into T1’s hairpin‑left, the track drops into the high‑speed S‑curves. The key is minimum steering input and early throttle: turn‑in confidence, rear stability and a front end that bites without overheating the rears. Time is made or lost by how much kerb you can use without unsettling the platform.

  • Overtaking window: Rare by itself — S1 sets up the pass, it doesn’t complete it. A strong exit from the esses builds the momentum that matters later.
  • Wind sensitivity: A headwind into T3 sharpens front bite but can overwork rears through the sequence; a tailwind dulls front grip and pushes you wide at T5/T6. Balance swings with gusts.

Sector 2: Drag, brakes, and the classic COTA pass (T11 → T12)

The run from T11 onto the back straight is the lap’s big setup move. Prioritise exit over entry at T11; you want straight steering as early as possible to launch down the long DRS‑assisted straight into T12, a heavy‑brake left‑hander.

  • Primary pass: Out‑brake into T12 from a late apex and firm, straight‑line braking. Expect switchbacks — leave margin for a cut‑back.
  • DRS trains: If you’re in a line of evenly matched cars, tyre life and battery timing decide whether you finish the move before T13 or end up vulnerable on exit.

Sector 3: Rhythm, rotation, and patience (T13–T20)

The final sector rewards traction and rotation. The best laps keep the rear calm through the slow chicane and final double‑right. Front‑limited setups will understeer wide in the last corner; rear‑limited cars will cook tyres and fade late.

  • Secondary pass: A dive into T1 after the main straight works if you maximise the penultimate corner and nail the launch. The uphill braking helps you commit without front‑locking — a rare Turn 1 that invites late moves.

Wind: the invisible setup lever

COTA is famously gusty. A southerly tailwind on the back straight adds top‑speed but lengthens braking into T12; a headwind into the esses can make the car feel hooked up — until it swings. Teams often hold downforce margin for race day to keep the car inside a wider balance window.

Tyres and strategy at Austin (sprint implications)

With parc fermé active across two scoring sessions, the safest path is a Sunday‑optimised baseline: protect rears over the long high‑fuel stints, accept a touch of understeer through S1, and keep a quality set for the Grand Prix. The undercut is potent when hards fire quickly; the overcut works only if you can guarantee clean air and a tyre that holds pace for two laps.

Pit windows shift around Safety Cars; the best executions hit pit entry deltas and out‑lap targets precisely. On a sprint weekend, burning tyres on Saturday can blunt your Sunday offsets — plan allocation accordingly.

Setups: what the frontrunners need

  • McLaren: Baseline strength in medium‑high speed flow makes them sector‑one favourites. Keep rear stability to stop late‑stint fade and the constructors’ machine keeps rolling.
  • Red Bull Racing: If rear‑axle support holds in S3, Verstappen is live for a Sprint + GP split. Brake stability into T12 is their clean‑pass lever.
  • Mercedes: Brake feel and tyre life point to podium potential. Russell’s rhythm through S1 and discipline on restarts suit COTA.
  • Ferrari: Convert qualifying into a first‑stint wedge; avoid rear‑tyre drift in S3. Leclerc can pass into T1 if the car rotates without snap.

Standings snapshot (after Singapore)

  • Drivers: Oscar Piastri 336 (7 wins) leads Lando Norris 314 (5 wins), with Max Verstappen 273 (4 wins) and George Russell 237 (2 wins) next.
  • Constructors: McLaren 650 ahead of Mercedes 325, Ferrari 300, Red Bull Racing 293.

The bottom line: Austin’s sprint format offers a 33‑point weekend for title hopefuls. Leaders should bank safe sprint points and protect Sunday pace; chasers should use Saturday aggression to force strategic choices.

Overtaking playbook: three ways to make it stick

  1. T12 late‑brake + defend cut‑back: Commit deep but square the exit; expect the re‑attack into T13.
  2. T1 uphill lunge: Use the incline to brake later; sell the outside then cross to apex. Works best with battery saved on the main straight.
  3. Pre‑load in S1: Force a rival narrow at T5, compromise their line, then launch down to T11 for the straight.

FAQs: Quick answers for searchers

Is Austin a sprint weekend in 2025?

Yes. There’s a Saturday sprint and Sunday Grand Prix, which raises the weekend max to 33 points per driver (8 + 25). There is no fastest‑lap point in 2025.

Where are the best overtaking spots at COTA?

T12 at the end of the back straight is the prime pass. T1 is a strong alternative thanks to uphill braking. Sector 3 offers opportunistic moves if tyre life and rotation are strong.

Who is leading the F1 2025 drivers’ championship right now?

Oscar Piastri leads on 336 points with seven wins, ahead of Lando Norris on 314 (five wins) and Max Verstappen on 273 (four wins).

Who leads the F1 constructors’ championship?

McLaren top the table with 650 points, followed by Mercedes (325), Ferrari (300) and Red Bull Racing (293).

How are F1 points awarded in 2025?

Grand Prix pay 25‑18‑15‑12‑10‑8‑6‑4‑2‑1 to the top ten; sprints pay 8‑7‑6‑5‑4‑3‑2‑1 to the top eight. There is no fastest‑lap point.

Use RaceMate during sessions to watch the F1 championship standings update in real time — perfect for sprint weekends at COTA, where two scoring sessions can flip the F1 points picture in hours.