Circuit of the Americas

Turn 1 at COTA, nicknamed "Big Red," is one of the most spectacular and intimidating corners in motorsport. It's a sharp, completely blind left-hand hairpin approached via a massive 133-foot climb, forcing drivers to brake hard into a corner where the apex is invisible until the last moment.

Turn 2 is a very fast, downhill right-hander that requires immense commitment. It serves as the gateway to the famous high-speed Esses, and carrying maximum momentum through here is absolutely critical for a good lap time.

Turn 3 is the critical entry point to the high-speed Esses. This fast left-hander is all about rhythm; getting this corner right sets up your flow for the next three corners, while a mistake here will ruin the entire sequence.

Turn 4, The second part of the Esses, is all about maintaining the momentum established in Turn 3 through a rapid right-hander. It's a pure test of the car's aerodynamic balance and the driver's ability to make quick, smooth inputs.

Deeper into the sequence, Turn 5 is a fast left that demands precision, as the car is already heavily loaded from the previous changes of direction. Consistency is key here to ensure you are on the right line for the final part of the complex.

Turn 6, The final corner of the main Esses sequence, is a critical right-hander where the focus shifts entirely to maximizing your exit speed for the short straight that follows.

Turn 7 is a medium-speed left-hander that serves as a transition from the high-speed Esses. It requires a significant and precise braking application to scrub off speed, demanding a reset of the driver's rhythm.

Turn 8 is a right-hander that immediately follows Turn 7 and is all about maintaining the speed you've carried through the previous corner. It's a flowing bend that opens up towards the very fast Turn 9.

Turn 9 is a very fast, long, and sweeping left-hand corner that requires immense bravery and total trust in the car's aerodynamic grip. It's a high-commitment corner where significant time can be gained or lost.

Turn 10 is a flat-out, left-hand kink that is effectively a straight. Its only purpose is to position the car perfectly for the heavy braking zone into the Turn 11 hairpin.

Turn 11 is a tight left-hand hairpin that serves as the launchpad for the longest straight on the circuit. A perfect exit is critical, as any speed lost here compromises the entire run to the heavy braking zone at Turn 12.

Turn 12 , is the single best overtaking opportunity on the entire circuit. It comes at the end of the longest straight, demanding the heaviest braking application of the lap and forcing a transition from maximum velocity to the slowest most technical part of the track, the stadium. 

Turn 13 is the entry to the slow, multi-apex complex of the stadium section. This first right-hander is all about patience and correctly positioning the car, as a clumsy entry will compromise the entire sequence that follows.

Turn 14 is the middle part of the stadium and the tightest point of the complex. It is the slowest corner in this sequence, and the driver's focus is entirely on rotating the car and preparing for the exit at Turn 15.

Turn 15 is the final corner of the slow stadium complex, this left-hander is the critical launchpad for the next sequence of corners. Getting a strong, clean exit here is vital for carrying momentum.

Turn 16 is a fast, sweeping left-hand corner that requires a confident turn-in. It's the first part of a challenging multi-apex sequence that demands a precise line to set up the two right-handers that follow .

Turn 17 is the first apex of the long right-hander. The goal here is to carry speed from the fast approach of Turn 16 while correctly positioning the car for the second, more critical apex.

Turn 18 is the second and final apex of the complex, and it's all about the exit; this is the critical launchpad for the entire final sector, and your line and throttle application here will determine your speed all the way to the finish line.

Turn 19  is a very fast, sweeping left-hand corner that requires total commitment. It’s a pure test of bravery and downforce, and carrying maximum speed through here is essential for a good run into the final corner.

Turn 20, the final corner of the lap, this medium-speed left-hander is critically important. Your exit here determines your speed all the way down the long pit straight and across the finish line.