Max Verstappen has a problem with Austin — and it’s not the circuit’s famous layout. The four-time world champion says the bumps on the Circuit of the Americas track are “unacceptable” and “out of control” ahead of this weekend’s United States Grand Prix, warning that the surface is actively hurting drivers’ spines.
Max Verstappen (Credits: BBC Sport)
Why Max Verstappen Calls the Austin Track “Unacceptable”
Verstappen, who has won the past two grands prix in Malaysia and Singapore, said drivers have long complained about the condition of the Texas circuit — and patch-up attempts haven’t worked. “They’ve been grinding a little bit here and there, but it’s just putting a plaster on the big problem,” he said. The real fix, he argued, is to fully reopen and repave the track: “That costs a lot of money and time, but that’s the only way to get rid of it.”
The circuit is built on former marshland, which has made it notoriously hard for organisers to keep the surface stable. Verstappen dismissed that as an excuse: “You should have known that, and you need to make sure that you reinforce it more.”
How the Bumps Are Hurting Drivers
The physics are brutal. Last year, Verstappen says he pulled the usual 5-6G in corners — but some bumps delivered vertical impacts of over 9G on his spine, which he says showed up on his medical checks. The problem is expected to be worse this year: under the latest regulations, cars run lower in corners than last season, and when the wings close under braking, “you bottom out way harder.”
“I love this track, I love this place. It’s one of the best layouts ever,” Verstappen added — making clear his beef is with the surface, not the venue. With drivers braking into bumpy corners all weekend, Austin’s organisers may soon face more than just complaints.
Also Read: Best Images of F1 in the US: From Sebring 1959 to Austin’s Modern Era
Source: BBC Sport — read the full story there.
