Verstappen Calls Austin F1 Track Surface Unacceptable and Harmful to Health

Four-time Formula 1 world champion Max Verstappen of Red Bull has publicly criticised the condition of the surface at the Circuit of the Americas (COTA) in Austin, Texas, which hosts a round of the world's top single-seater racing series. He called the bumps completely unacceptable and harmful to health. The issue matters because, in his view, the 2026 cars could make the bumps even more painful.

Verstappen's warning

Verstappen said he was already shocked by the state of the surface after the World Endurance Championship (WEC) races held there in September. In his view, organisers' excuses about the ground conditions no longer hold up.

The driver believes the situation could get worse with the new cars, because ride height in corners is very low and the cars scrape the ground more often under braking. Most of the bumps, he said, are in braking zones or corners rather than on straights.

He also cited the results of medical checks. Last year, cornering loads were around 5–6G, but some vertical impacts on his spine exceeded 9G. According to Verstappen, his lower back does not look very good, and the cars of recent years cause additional damage.

Other drivers' views

McLaren driver Lando Norris fully backed Verstappen. He noted that FIA (the International Automobile Federation) tolerances for a newly built circuit are small and COTA does not fit within them. Norris revealed that at several tracks he has to take painkillers for headaches before going out, because bumps make his head hit the headrest hard.

Mercedes driver George Russell said bumpiness is part of racing, but proposed resurfacing F1 tracks every couple of years to make them more consistent. He pointed out that ground clearance at the end of a straight is only 10 millimetres, so every bump is felt.