Splitting fields for \(E_8\)-torsors (Q1430010)

The author shows that every torsor for the split algebraic group \(E_8\) over a field becomes trivial over some separable extension of degree dividing \(2^6\cdot 3^2\cdot 5= 2880\). This improves a bound \((2^9\cdot 3^3\cdot 5= 69120)\) by \textit{J. Tits} [C. R. Acad. Sci., Paris, Sér. I 315, No. 11, 1131--1138 (1992; Zbl 0823.20042)] and, by the author's computation of Grothendieck's torsion index of \(E_8\), it turns out that the author's bound is optimal.