Strategy
Can you overtake at COTA?
Answer
Yes. The Circuit of the Americas in Austin is a strong overtaking track. The steep uphill braking into Turn 1 after the start-finish straight is the best chance, with a second big opportunity into Turn 12 at the end of the back-straight DRS zone. The flowing esses in the first sector are hard to follow through, but the two long straights more than make up for it.
The short answer
Yes. COTA has two long straights feeding heavy braking zones, so DRS and the slipstream give real overtaking chances.[1] The dramatic uphill run to the tight Turn 1 is the signature move, and the back straight into Turn 12 is nearly as good; the fast esses that follow are harder to follow through, but the passing spots keep racing close.[2]
Where to overtake at COTA
- Turn 1. A steep uphill braking zone at the end of the main straight, with DRS, the prime overtaking spot.[1]
- Turn 12. The hairpin at the end of the long back-straight DRS zone, the second-best place to attack.
- The esses (Turns 3 to 6). Fast and flowing, hard to follow through, so gaps often open and close here.
Why COTA races well
Related reading
Related reading
Sources
- [1]Circuit of the Americas (Wikipedia) (wikipedia-en). Accessed 2026-08-27.
- [2]United States Grand Prix (Wikipedia) (wikipedia-en). Accessed 2026-08-27.
Published 27 Aug 2026