NOT WHAT YOU

IT'S PATENTLY ABSURD, BUT THE 1,064-HP CORVETTE ZR1 ISN'T AN OUT-OF-CONTROL WIDOWMAKER

- WORDS MAC MORRISON

The decreasing-radius S curves. The blind-entry Turn 10 kink. The fast triple-apex corner complex of Turns 16, 17, and 18. The deceptively fast Turn 19. These are the big challenges Circuit of the Americas (COTA) throws at a driver.

Make no mistake, COTA is a satisfyingly special place to drive any quick and capable car, but when Chevrolet told us it was holding the official first drive event for the 2025 Corvette ZR1 at the flowing 3.41-mile, 20-turn Texas home of the Formula 1 United States Grand Prix? There was a moment of pause and outright uncertainty.

It's not that Corvettes in general haven't become incredibly capable road-course cars, especially over the span of the previous 20 years. But ZR1s have always felt more like poster children for big American horsepower bragging rights come each successive and ever-brawnier generation, with handling stability seemingly a secondary concern.

To boot: The previous C7 ZR1 and its 755 hp at times scared the bejeezus out of our judges during 2018's Best Driver's Car, inspiring comments like: “Nerve wracking.” “Everyone complained about overpowering the rear tires.” “The front obeys, but I never, ever trust the rear.” And finally, “It’s the equivalent of driving an Igloo cooler with 755 horsepower.” Not exactly a confidence-inspiring track record, no pun intended.

So we could feel the sweats coming on at the prospect of tackling a fast F1 track in the new ZR1. Its much-touted engine output: 1,064 hp and 828 lb-ft of torque, a seismic leap of 309 hp with an additional 113 lb-ft of icing on the rear-drive cake for good measure.