Verstappen raises spine concerns over Austin track bumps

Max Verstappen has raised concerns about the strain Austin’s bumpy track places on drivers’ bodies, saying the impacts he experienced last year went beyond the forces normally felt through corners. BBC Sport reported that the four-time Formula 1 champion criticised the surface ahead of the United States Grand Prix, with McLaren’s Lando Norris supporting his assessment.

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Verstappen said that while cornering loads were around 5-6G, some vertical impacts last year exceeded 9G through his spine. He also said checks on the lower part of his spine had given him cause for concern. He acknowledged that physical wear can be part of motorsport, but argued that the cars used in recent seasons had contributed additional damage and that continuing to accept such surfaces would worsen the problem.

The circuit stands on former marshland, which has complicated efforts to maintain its surface, according to the BBC report. Verstappen rejected the underlying soil as a sufficient explanation for leaving the problem unresolved. He said those conditions should have been anticipated and addressed with stronger reinforcement, rather than treated as an unavoidable feature of racing at the venue.

He also warned that the latest cars could make the bumps harder to manage. Although the 2022-25 generation ran lower overall, he said the current cars sit lower in corners than last season. The front and rear wings open to reduce drag on straights, then close for corners, bringing the car closer to the ground under braking. Verstappen said that transition could produce heavier contact with the track, particularly where braking zones are uneven.

Norris said the surface was far outside the tight tolerances required when building a new circuit. He described taking headache medication before driving at some venues because bumps repeatedly force his head against the headrest. The McLaren driver said the issue had been raised many times, while stressing the limits of what drivers could achieve through repeated complaints.

Mercedes driver George Russell offered a different emphasis, describing bumps as part of racing while supporting more frequent maintenance. He suggested Formula 1 tracks should be resurfaced every couple of years to improve consistency, pointing to deteriorating asphalt at some venues as a source of additional problems.