The 2022 United States Grand Prix was the first COTA race since 2015 to feature a full Safety Car period. Here’s a list of every time that the Safety Car has been deployed at Circuit of The Americas since the track began hosting the United States Grand Prix!
2013 United States Grand Prix, Lap 1
The first United States Grand Prix at COTA in 2012 passed without a Safety Car incident. The pace car made its first appearance at the track one year later, when Adrian Sutil crashed out on the back straight following contact with Esteban Gutierrez’s Sauber on the first lap.
2014 United States Grand Prix, Lap 1
The second Safety Car period at COTA was also caused by Adrian Sutil. This time, on the opening lap of the 2013 United States Grand Prix, Sutil retired after contact with Sergio Perez’s Force India. Perez continued but soon retired with race-ending damage, pulling into the pits at the end of Lap 1.
2015 United States Grand Prix, Lap 5
The Virtual Safety Car made its first appearance at COTA in the 2015 United States Grand Prix. On the fifth lap of the race, the VSC was called to clear debris left on the track at Turn 1 and later around the lap from an incident on the opening lap of the race. It was out for just over 5 minutes.
2015 United States Grand Prix, Lap 27
Marcus Ericsson stopped on track just after Turn 11 on Lap 27 of the 2015 United States Grand Prix, leading to the longest Safety Car period to date at COTA. Six laps were spent under caution conditions.
2015 United States Grand Prix, Lap 38
Nico Hulkenberg retired after contact with Daniel Ricciardo on Lap 38 of the 2015 United States Grand Prix. The German’s Force India car was stopped at the side of the track, with a VSC required to clear it.
2015 United States Grand Prix, Lap 43
Daniil Kvyat crashed out in the damp conditions as the 2015 United States Grand Prix, clattering into the wall and leaving debris across the track.
2016 United States Grand Prix, Lap 31
A power unit failure for Max Verstappen saw him stop trackside on Lap 31 of the 2016 United States Grand Prix, necessitating a VSC period.
2018 United States Grand Prix, Lap 11
Daniel Ricciardo stopped trackside with mechanical issues on Lap 9 of the 2018 United States Grand Prix, with the VSC called two laps later to clear his car.
2021 United States Grand Prix, Lap 28
A short VSC period lasting only 30 seconds occurred on Lap 28 of the 2021 United States Grand Prix, with a marshal running on track to clear debris.
2022 United States Grand Prix, Lap 18
Valtteri Bottas span out into the gravel on Lap 18 of the 2022 United States Grand Prix, leading to the first full Safety Car period at Circuit of The Americas in seven years.
2022 United States Grand Prix, Lap 22
You wait seven years for a Safety Car period, then two come along at once. Just after the Safety Car returned to the pit lane following Valtteri Bottas’ spin into the gravel, Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll collided on the back straight – the Alpine getting airborne in the incident. Alonso continued, while Stroll was eliminated from the race.
