Herta says COTA’s bumps make set-up a compromise

Colton Herta says the bumps and contrasting corner demands at the Circuit of The Americas make it difficult to find a set-up that works across the lap. The Cadillac test and reserve driver is due to replace Sergio Perez in FP1 at the United States Grand Prix, in one of the team’s mandatory rookie sessions.

The car needs to work through the fast first sector while still delivering what is needed in the longer, slower corners, Herta said. He described balancing ride height and overall stiffness as part of dealing with the bumps.

Wind can also change which parts of the circuit a driver can exploit, he said. Herta added that drivers should not expect to feel completely comfortable everywhere; the aim is a compromise that works across the full lap.