Everything you need to know about the Circuit of The Americas

As Formula 1 arrives in Texas for the United States Grand Prix, Round 18 of the 2026 season brings the paddock to the renowned Circuit of The Americas. Designed by Hermann Tilke and opened in 2012, the 5.513km circuit features a thrilling mix of high-speed direction changes, technical sections, and iconic corner inspirations from Silverstone and Hockenheim. Lewis Hamilton stands as the most successful driver at COTA with five victories, while former driver Jolyon Palmer notes the extreme technical demands of sectors one and three. Technological adjustments for the 2026 season will also be heavily featured at Austin, introducing the new aerodynamic and power configurations. Straight Mode replaces traditional DRS by dynamically adjusting both the front and rear wings across designated zones to reduce drag on straights while maintaining downforce in corners. Additionally, Overtake Mode replaces traditional power deployment methods, allowing drivers who stay within one second of a rival at the detection point to harvest and deploy extra electrical energy for sustained high-speed battles.