Marcos: COTA set-up choice depends on the car

Ahead of the United States Grand Prix, COTA presents F1 teams with a set-up trade-off: its fast opening sector and slower sections later in the lap demand different strengths from a car. Cadillac chief race engineer Xavi Marcos Padros says there is no universal answer; the best emphasis depends on the car.

The circuit is also bumpy. Marcos said engineers would consider damper settings and overall stiffness to manage the surface, while seeking a ride height suited to the bumps. They must also keep wear on the plank beneath the car within the rules at the end of the race. The plank is measured afterwards to check minimum ride height.

Qualifying brings another balance to strike, Marcos said. Warming the tyres enough for the opening sector can leave them overheating in the final sector. One option is to accept cooler tyres early so they perform better later in the lap.

Marcos said Cadillac's initial set-up for FP1 would be based on simulator data, with adjustments for FP2 informed by what the team saw in FP1. Friday-night simulator work and driver feedback would then help refine the car for Saturday.