MAX VERSTAPPEN CALLS FOR AUSTIN CIRCUIT TO BE RELAID

Max Verstappen has called for the Circuit of the Americas to be relaid, saying its bumps could cause lasting damage to drivers’ spines. The Red Bull driver raised the issue during media day in Austin ahead of the United States Grand Prix. He described the bumps as “unacceptable” and said drivers’ concerns about the track had been ignored. Verstappen said he still loved the circuit’s layout and regarded Austin as one of the best cities to visit.

Verstappen said he experienced vertical impacts of more than 9G on his spine at the circuit last year, alongside forces of about 5–6G in a corner. He said the higher impacts were “really not fun”. Checks of his spine showed that its lower section “doesn’t look that great”, he told reporters. Ground movement at the circuit has caused bumps to develop over time.

Verstappen said drivers could suffer further damage if they continued to race over impacts of that magnitude. He linked the risk to physical strain from cars used in recent years. He acknowledged that damage could be part of racing and said some other sports might be harder on the body. “That’s why I’m not doing them,” he said.