Lando Norris (McLaren) following Verstappen’s criticism: “It’s impossible without pills”

Ever since 2012, when Formula 1 first raced at the wonderful Circuit of the Americas, this has been a recurring theme here in Texas – the undulating track surface.

Max Verstappen had this to say: “From what I’d already seen in the pictures from the World Endurance Championship here – the track is incredibly bumpy. That’s one of the challenges of this circuit.”

Max adds with a grin: “In Singapore I said – I’ll probably need a new spine. That was meant as a joke, of course, but it really isn’t funny when you’re in a racing car.”

“I’ve had my back checked regularly, and the wear and tear on my lower spine is clearly visible.”

“I hear the track surface is simply in a state of flux, so there’s not much you can do about it. But I don’t agree with that. Everyone knows the problem, so the track surface shouldn’t be an excuse. For me, such extreme undulations are simply unacceptable.”

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Lando Norris, 2025 Formula 1 World Champion, says: “Max is absolutely right to use the word ‘unacceptable’. These days, the FIA has very strict rules and regulations for building a new circuit, and the tolerances you have to stay within are quite narrow. COTA is simply an older circuit, so it’s different there.”

“But it really is quite bad, and I’ll probably end up having to take painkillers before I go out on the track, simply because the bumps mean you’re constantly banging your head against the headrests.”

“It’s not a pleasant experience. We drivers complain about it every year, and it’s often raised in meetings with race control, but ultimately there isn’t much that can be done about it.”