Verstappen says Austin circuit bumps are “out of control”

Ahead of the United States Grand Prix, Max Verstappen says the bumps at the Austin circuit are “out of control”. He also calls them “unacceptable” and says the measures taken so far have not solved the underlying problem.

Verstappen says he likes the layout and the venue, which he regards as among the best. But, in his view, patch repairs amount to “putting a plaster on the big problem”: the issue beneath the surface needs to be tackled. He acknowledges that fully reopening the track would take time and a great deal of money, but describes it as the only way to eliminate the bumps. He also says the organisers should not use the nature of the soil to excuse the situation: if that is the cause, he argues, it should have been anticipated and the ground reinforced more.

The Dutchman says drivers have complained about the circuit’s condition and that attempts by the organisers to address it have not worked. After following the World Endurance Championship’s Lone Star Le Mans event in Texas, held over the weekend of 6 September, he said he was shocked by the state of the track. “From what I saw in WEC, it was extremely badly bumpy. I’m not really looking forward to that, to be honest, for your spine,” he said. He also explained that a joke made at the previous race did not mean his concern was insincere: the issue, he says, has been raised for years and is getting worse.

Verstappen describes irregularities that are hard to anticipate and which, in his view, are linked to movement in the ground beneath the surface. He says they are particularly problematic when cars hit the bumps under braking. He also believes the situation could worsen this season: under the current regulations, cars run lower in corners than they did last season. Last year, he says, he experienced vertical impacts on his spine of more than 9G, compared with a usual cornering load of around 5-6G. He says checks on his spine have left him concerned and fears that accepting such conditions could lead to further damage.

George Russell also describes the circuit as bumpy, but says that is part of racing. The Mercedes driver believes F1 circuits should be resurfaced roughly every couple of years to make them more consistent. He adds that the tarmac is lifting and breaking up at some tracks, causing more problems. Verstappen’s comments therefore underline a difference in the proposed response: he wants the underlying issue addressed, while Russell also points to the need for regular resurfacing.