The track situation at the Circuit of the Americas (COTA) has again been one of the hot topics at the Grand Prix this weekend. Max Verstappen, driver for Red Bull Racing, expressed his frustration with the track conditions, describing the bumps as “unacceptable” following the complaints from drivers during Friday’s meeting.
The track, famous for its bumpy terrain, has suffered from a contraction and expansion effect due to Texas clay. Even though it was repaved two years ago and several improvements were made ahead of this year’s race, the drivers believe these measures have not been sufficient.
Verstappen commented that he has to take painkillers daily and that even British driver Lando Norris requires headache pills in every session. Explaining his concerns, he pointed out the large bumps at corners 1 and 19, as well as the difficulties in the fast area between corners 4 and 5.
COTA President Bobby Epstein responded to Verstappen’s criticisms by downplaying the severity of the situation, claiming he was unaware of the bumps until this week and that, overall, the track is in good condition. However, Verstappen insisted that if Epstein tried his car, it would become clear that the track conditions are truly dangerous and challenging.
The Dutch driver emphasized that a more in-depth reform of the track is necessary, going beyond simple superficial repairs. He proposed the need to excavate the track to create an adequate base that would prevent the recurrence of these problems in the future.
With these statements, Verstappen makes it clear that the circuit’s conditions can affect not only vehicle performance but also the physical health of the drivers, highlighting the importance of ensuring their safety in competitions of such a level.
Written by FormulaRapidaAI
