Smoother Operation

World Endurance Championship drivers give Circuit of the Americas high marks on recent track surface improvement projects.

Sep 02, 2024

Austin, Texas--The well-earned reputation Circuit of the Americas (COTA) has for its bone-rattling bumps could soon be a thing of the past.

Feedback from FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) drivers who competed in Lone Star Le Mans event Sept. 1—the series’ first the track since 2020—suggests the track's most recent changes may have put the finishing touches on an extensive resurfacing effort.

"From my perspective, obviously in the GT car, it's definitely not as rough as it is for [Hypercar drivers], but this is the smoothest I've ever known COTA," said Ian James, who drove his Heart of Racing No. 27 Aston Martin Vantage GT3 to both the LMGT3 pole and class win.

"They've made a huge effort to get the track in really good condition," added James, who has extensive experience at the circuit. "It's actually a joy to drive. It doesn't shake your teeth anymore like it used to."

The 12-year old track's layout makes it a favorite among competitors from various racing series. But the geological realities of its location, led by clay soil, leaves it prone to bumps.

Its developers knew this. They took extensive steps during the 3.5 mile/5.5 km, 20-turn track's design and construction phases to account for the challenges. But Mother Nature can be a tough opponent.

A major resurfacing project in 2022 addressed issues in several spots, including turns 2, 10, and 12-16. More work was done ahead of the October 2023 Formula 1 U.S. Grand Prix.

But complaints persisted following that race, led by some of F1's biggest names. Two of them--Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton and Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc--were disqualified due to excessive wear on protective planks, or skids, underneath their cars. Both teams blamed at least part of the issue on COTA's infamous bumps.

Red Bull's Max Verstappen was more direct than a worn skid.

"At the moment it feels like it's better suited to a rally car," he said after winning the race. "I'm jumping and bouncing around...I don't think it's F1 level."

Undaunted, COTA officials kept at it, making still more changes just weeks before this year's Lone Star Le Mans. The work came after a late-July test by several Hypercar teams, booked in part because the WEC has raced at COTA only once since 2017.

"It was very bumpy in the first corner," said Ferrari AF Corse No. 50 499P co-driver Miguel Molina, who tested in July. "Now it's completely different."

Porsche Penske 963 No. 6 co-driver André Lotterer, whose previous COTA experience includes an LMP-1 win in 2014 as well as July's test, also gave the track high marks.

"So as long as you don't have it too bumpy, it's okay," he told On Motorsport post-race. "July was too bumpy. The way they've done it now is fine. Turn 1 and the back straight was a lot of improvement."

Antonio Giovinazzi, who put the No. 51 Ferrari 499P on the pole for COTA, agrees with his AF Corse teammate.

"It has never been so smooth like this," said Giovinazzi, who competed in F1 races at Austin in 2019 and 2021. "Especially the first sector," which covers Turns 1-4. "These improvements, for us drivers, make it more enjoyable."

How current F1 drivers feel will be clear soon enough. F1 returns to Austin Oct. 18-20.

But the new surface isn't only winning over former skeptics. It's helping COTA make a strong first impression as well.

Sarah Bovy, co-driver of the Iron Dames No. 85 Lamborghini Huracan, had never competed at COTA before. After one full race weekend, she’s made up her mind.

"I love it," she told On Motorsport. "It's a great track. It's really cool...it's also challenging."

Editor’s note: Thanks to each of you and your inboxes for accommodating the uptick in stories set around Lone Star Le Mans. Given the chance to cover the event as credentialed media, I wanted to make the most of the opportunity, There’s plenty more to write, and I plan to get to it—but set around future story lines. (Fuji is less than 2 weeks away!….) As always, thank you for reading. Feedback is always welcome!—Sean

More COTA coverage: