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Oscar Piastri Flags COTA Bumps as Dangerous Overtaking Risk at US GP
Highlights
- Oscar Piastri criticized bumps at COTA affecting overtaking chances.
- Piastri qualified seventh, 0.768 seconds behind pole driver Antonelli.
- Drivers must brake on bumps, increasing risk during race overtakes.
- Max Verstappen labeled track bumps “unacceptable” during race weekend.
- Issue reported to FIA; repairs expected before next year’s US GP.
- Lando Norris lost Q3 lap time for track limit infringement.
Oscar Piastri warns that significant bumps at Austin’s Circuit of the Americas could compromise overtaking during the United States Grand Prix, after qualifying seventh for McLaren.
The Australian finished 0.768s off pole-sitter Kimi Antonelli, noting that while resurfacing helps in places, the braking zones at Turns 1 and 19 remain notably uneven.
Piastri explains qualifying is manageable because drivers brake after the worst crests. In race trim, braking directly on those bumps raises risk, especially for lunges into Turn 1.
The concern is widely shared. Max Verstappen brands the bumps “unacceptable,” adding weight to calls for action across a weekend shaped by ride and braking instability.
“Turn 1 feels like a motocross jump,” Piastri says, flagging a crest that unsettles the car at the exact moment drivers commit to braking.
McLaren has raised the issue with the FIA, and Piastri expects remedial work before next year. Any fix must preserve character while restoring predictable braking references.
From a racing standpoint, irregularities at Turn 1 and the fast Turn 19 threaten overtaking confidence and track-limit policing, forcing conservative margins and complicating tyre and brake management.
Piastri’s seventh comes with mixed fortunes for McLaren. Teammate Lando Norris lost his final Q3 lap for track limits, leaving him eighth on the US Grand Prix grid after a tight qualifying.
Drivers must brake on the bumps in race conditions, making Turn 1 overtakes riskier and increasing the chance of lock-ups and contact.
Set-up choices skew toward compliance over kerbs and crests, with teams juggling ride height, damping, and aero stability. Expect cautious opening laps and priority on exit traction.
Beyond the layout, Piastri notes the new Turn 1 clubhouse and cable cars add spectacle without disrupting sightlines. Its proximity surprises initially but quickly blends into the driving routine.
The issue has been reported to the FIA, with repairs expected before next year’s US Grand Prix.
Short term, drivers manage the risk and adapt overtaking points. Longer term, effective resurfacing should restore confidence and keep COTA’s challenge without compromising safety or race craft.
Visual Summary
🏍️💨
⬆️
Turn 1 “Motocross Jump”
Piastri’s words
Piastri’s words
Piastri vs Antonelli
+0.768s
+0.768s
Piastri qualifies 7th
Antonelli takes pole & leads championship
Antonelli takes pole & leads championship
Piastri
vs
Norris
vs
Norris
Norris loses Q3 lap
Lines up right behind Oscar
Lines up right behind Oscar
“The bump at Turn 1 is like a motocross jump.
In the race, you have to brake right on it – that could be dangerous for overtaking.”
— Oscar Piastri
In the race, you have to brake right on it – that could be dangerous for overtaking.”
— Oscar Piastri
⚠️
FIA notified, repairs expected for 2027
FIA notified, repairs expected for 2027
🚡
New Turn 1 clubhouse & cable cars debut.
“Adds atmosphere—no distraction.”
“Adds atmosphere—no distraction.”
BUMP TENSION
Daniel Miller reports on Formula 1 Grand Prix weekends with race-day analysis, team-radio highlights, and point-standings updates. He explains power-unit upgrades, aerodynamic developments, and driver rivalries in straightforward, SEO-friendly language for a global F1 audience.
