After a fairly long break in the middle of the season, the Formula 1 2023 drivers will again compete in the United States Grand Prix which will roll at the Circuit of the Americas (COTA), Austin, Texas.
F1 first held a race at COTA in 2012, and this is the first time the United States Grand Prix has been played again since 2007 at Indianapolis.
This circuit attracts many fans of first-class sports car racing because of its layout that looks simple but has quite challenging corners.
The circuit was also a silent witness to Lewis Hamilton’s last victory with McLaren before moving to Mercedes in 2013.
COTA
Track length: 5.513 km
Race distance: 56 laps or 308.405 km
Winner of the 2023 United States Grand Prix: Max Verstappen (Red Bull)
Pole position 2023: Charles Leclerc (Ferrari, 1’34,723)
Fastest Lap 2023: Yuki Tsunoda (AlphaTauri, 1’38.139)
The corners at COTA look familiar when compared to some of The Other Formula 1 grand prix host circuits.
Turns 3 to 6 are no different from Silverstone’s high-speed run through Maggotts/Becketts or the S Curves at Suzuka.
Meanwhile, the uphill run into the very wide Turn 1 has been the scene of some good overtaking action on this still young track.
Another interesting point at this year’s United States Grand Prix is the Sprint short race format on the second day.
The drivers only have the opportunity to do free practice once, on Saturday (19/10) at 00.30 WIB, followed by Sprint qualification at 04.30 WIB.
The Sprint session takes place on Sunday at 01.00 WIB, and the main race qualification is held at 05.00 WIB, while the main race rolls on Monday at 02.00 WIB.