Max Verstappen has described the bumps at the Circuit of The Americas as “unacceptable” ahead of the 2026 Formula 1 United States Grand Prix, calling for permanent structural repairs after revealing that he experienced vertical impacts exceeding 9G during last year’s race. Lando Norris has also raised concerns about the physical effects of racing on uneven circuits, admitting that he sometimes takes medication for headaches before driving, while George Russell believes modern Formula 1 cars are particularly vulnerable to track surface irregularities.
Despite being one of the most popular circuits among Formula 1 drivers, COTA has once again come under scrutiny over the condition of its asphalt. Organisers have carried out resurfacing work in recent years, but bumps and depressions in several sections continue to cause problems for car handling and expose drivers to significant physical forces.
Max Verstappen criticises Austin bumps after watching WEC race
Max Verstappen had already raised the issue during the Singapore Grand Prix weekend, joking that he would need a new spine before arriving in Texas. His remark followed the World Endurance Championship race held at Austin in September, where he observed the difficulties experienced by the prototypes as they negotiated the circuit’s uneven surface.
“From what I saw in WEC, the situation was really bad,” Max Verstappen explained. “I joked about it in Singapore, but in reality there’s not much to laugh about. We’ve been pointing out this problem for years, and now the situation is getting out of hand.”
The concerns come despite continued attempts to improve the venue’s surface. The latest Austin resurfacing work and its implications for tyre wear have added another consideration for teams preparing for the United States Grand Prix.
Why Max Verstappen believes COTA needs permanent structural repairs
The underlying problem at the Circuit of The Americas is closely connected to the characteristics of the ground on which it was built. The clay-rich soil in Texas expands and contracts depending on weather conditions, causing movement beneath the track surface that eventually creates bumps and depressions in the asphalt.
The circuit underwent resurfacing in 2024, with further work carried out this year between Turns 9 and 11 and in the section between Turns 12 and 19. However, Max Verstappen believes these interventions are only temporary solutions to a much larger structural problem.
“You can keep blaming the ground, but that was a known characteristic from the beginning. It should have been anticipated and the structure reinforced properly. I love this circuit; it’s one of the best in the world because of its layout, but the bumps are unacceptable. Continuing to grind down the asphalt is like putting a plaster on a much bigger problem. You need to address what’s underneath, even if that means major work, high costs and a long time to complete it.”
The four-time Formula 1 world champion also shared a striking figure from the previous edition of the United States Grand Prix, describing the forces transmitted through his body when driving over bumps at high speed.
“Last year, in some corners taken with lateral acceleration of 5 or 6G, I recorded vertical impacts of more than 9G on my spine. I can assure you that’s not pleasant at all.”
Max Verstappen also revealed that medical examinations of his back had shown a far-from-ideal condition in the lower part of his spine. He emphasised that the cumulative physical stress experienced by drivers over the years should not be underestimated.
Lando Norris reveals he takes headache medication before driving on bumpy circuits
Lando Norris shares Max Verstappen’s concerns and has explained how he deals with particularly uneven racing surfaces. The McLaren driver revealed that bumps can cause his head to strike the cockpit headrest repeatedly, sometimes forcing him to take medication before heading onto the circuit.
“At several tracks I have to take tablets for headaches before going out on track, simply because there are so many bumps that my head hits the headrest violently. It’s not pleasant at all.”
Lando Norris also pointed to the difference between the strict construction requirements applied to new circuits and the surface conditions that remain at Austin.
“If you build a new track, you have to comply with very tight tolerances. Austin doesn’t come anywhere near those parameters, but obviously it’s an existing circuit. We’ve raised the problem so many times. We can keep complaining, but only up to a point. Max is absolutely right.”
The McLaren driver’s comments reinforce the argument that the issue is not merely one of performance or comfort. For drivers repeatedly exposed to sudden vertical movements, the physical demands created by an uneven track can become an important consideration throughout a race weekend.
Why the 2026 Formula 1 cars have not solved Austin’s bump problem
The introduction of Formula 1’s new technical regulations in 2026 was expected to improve the situation compared with the ground-effect cars used between 2022 and 2025. Those cars were particularly stiff and needed to run extremely close to the asphalt to generate aerodynamic performance.
However, Max Verstappen believes the current generation of cars can actually be worse in certain conditions, particularly when braking and cornering.
“It’s probably worse, because in corners we use very low ride heights. On the straights, the SM aerodynamic mode allows the car to rise, but under braking we’re bottoming out more than before. And most of the bumps are precisely in the braking zones and corners.”
The interaction between ride height, aerodynamic configuration and the uneven surface therefore remains a significant technical challenge. Even with the changes introduced for 2026, drivers still have to contend with sudden vertical impacts when the underside of the car approaches or makes contact with the asphalt.
George Russell explains why modern F1 cars are so sensitive to bumps
George Russell has also highlighted how the design characteristics of modern Formula 1 cars make surface irregularities particularly difficult to manage.
“At the end of the straight, our ride height is just 10 millimetres. Even the smallest irregularity is clearly noticeable. Furthermore, with the 18-inch wheels, we’ve lost much of the cushioning effect that the previous tyres provided.”
The Mercedes driver believes Formula 1 should consider resurfacing circuits more frequently, potentially every two years, to provide more consistent track surfaces and reduce the problems caused by uneven asphalt.
For teams, the challenge is particularly complex because Austin combines high-speed corners, heavy braking areas and substantial elevation changes. The circuit’s characteristics already demand compromises between aerodynamic efficiency, mechanical balance and tyre performance, even before the additional difficulties caused by bumps are considered.
A broader explanation of the circuit’s characteristics and the upcoming race weekend is available in the 2026 United States Grand Prix schedule and Circuit of The Americas guide.
Austin resurfacing faces crucial test during 2026 United States GP
The condition of the track will come under renewed scrutiny during the opening sessions of the United States Grand Prix weekend. Formula 1’s 2026 cars will provide the clearest indication yet of how effective the organisers’ latest resurfacing work has been and whether the remaining bumps continue to create significant difficulties.
For Max Verstappen, Lando Norris and George Russell, the central issue extends beyond finding a competitive setup for one race weekend. Their comments underline a shared concern about the repeated physical impacts experienced by drivers and the limitations of temporary repairs.
The message from the drivers is clear: Austin remains one of Formula 1’s most enjoyable circuits, but its longstanding surface problems require a lasting solution rather than another short-term intervention.
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