Max Verstappen has expressed his concern about the state of the Circuit of the Americas, where the upcoming United States Grand Prix will be held. The Red Bull Racing driver considers the track conditions to be “unacceptable” and has urged Formula 1 to take action to improve them.
In a press conference prior to the race, Verstappen mentioned the physical discomfort that drivers must endure due to the bumps and irregularities of the layout. The four-time world champion initially used a humorous tone, commenting that he would need a new spine, but quickly pointed out that the situation is truly concerning.
“From what I saw at the WEC endurance race in Texas, the circuit is extremely bad. I honestly don’t look forward to the race because of my spine,” he stated. Although he had previously mentioned it humorously, his concern is now serious.
The problem lies in the type of soil on which the circuit is built; Texas’s high plasticity soil causes a contraction and expansion effect with weather changes. This results in an extremely bumpy layout, especially in the stop zones, where the asphalt is more loaded.
Improvements made and needed
Before the 2026 race, some sections have been reformed, including the stretch between corners 9 and 11. However, Verstappen believes deeper measures are needed. “You can use the excuse of the soil, but the track should have been reinforced more adequately,” he added. His opinion is that, in addition to maintaining the surface, the base problem needs to be addressed.
Verstappen appreciates the circuit and the city of Austin, but warns that the improvements made have been insufficient. “They have addressed some points here and there, but that is just putting a band-aid on a bigger problem,” he said.
The impact of the 2026 vehicles
With the introduction of new vehicles for the 2026 season, Verstappen expressed his concern that conditions could worsen. The cars will be lower and stiffer, which could increase the physical toll on drivers.
“It could be worse because, when turning, we go very low. Under braking, the situation can be really stressful, with bumps that are not just signs of an old track, but are consequences of ground movements,” he concluded.
Written by FormulaRapidaAI
