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Max Verstappen Slams USGP Circuit as Totally Out of Control
Highlights
- Max Verstappen criticizes Circuit of the Americas’ rough track surface.
- Verstappen calls bumps “unacceptable” and situation “out of control.”
- He urges full track reopening for proper repairs, not patch fixes.
- United States Grand Prix at COTA scheduled for later this week.
- Track bumps pose challenges for drivers’ spines and car setups.
- Verstappen praises Austin’s layout but demands track condition improvements.
Max Verstappen has condemned Circuit of the Americas’ increasingly rough surface as “unacceptable” and “out of control” ahead of this week’s United States Grand Prix in Austin.
His assessment follows observations during the recent World Endurance Championship event, reinforcing concerns that the bumps could shape both safety and performance across the weekend.
Verstappen arrives from a commanding Singapore win over Charles Leclerc and Kimi Antonelli, yet expects a very different challenge, with car setup and driver endurance stressed by the abrasive, uneven asphalt.
“Unacceptable” and “out of control” — Verstappen’s strongest critique yet of COTA’s surface.
The bumps have persisted for years and appear worse, forcing teams to trade aerodynamic efficiency for compliance. Ride-height limits, floor stiffness, and plank wear rules narrow the setup window.
Verstappen’s earlier “RoboCop” quip about bracing for impacts now carries weight, with driver health a central theme after repeated heavy compressions. He discussed those concerns in detail in recent comments on spinal load.
Red Bull may raise ride heights to protect the floor, compromising the high-speed esses. Others could chase kerb compliance and mechanical grip. Friday mileage will be vital for correlation and confidence, as outlined in the Friday preview.
Expect aggressive setup compromises: protect the floor, preserve balance, and manage plank wear under FIA scrutiny.
Verstappen rejects the usual shifting-soil rationale, arguing the ground should have been reinforced earlier. He believes patching only masks a structural problem beneath the surface.
He urges a full reopening for comprehensive repairs, accepting the time and expense required. The message is clear: short-term fixes no longer meet F1’s demands or modern car sensitivities.
He still praises the venue’s layout and Austin’s atmosphere, describing COTA as a standout on the calendar. The caveat is the surface, which he says must return to an acceptable baseline.
Competitively, compliant cars could thrive while stiffer concepts risk bottoming and tyre overheating. Execution through practice and qualifying will decide whether Red Bull’s package retains its edge, explored in our Red Bull form guide.
Austin’s layout remains a favorite, but Verstappen insists the surface must meet F1 standards for safety and fairness.
With the United States Grand Prix set for later this week, teams will prioritise safeguarding floors and driver comfort while chasing rhythm over the bumps. More build-up is available in our US GP preview.
Visual Summary
Max Verstappen:
“These bumps are unacceptable — it’s out of control!”
“These bumps are unacceptable — it’s out of control!”
🏆
Singapore Domination
Verstappen arrives in Austin as the favorite
🦵
Body at Risk
Drivers’ spines face the shocks
🚧
Track Trouble
Patching over deep problems
Will Verstappen and F1 engineers tame the wild bumps, or will COTA’s surface shake up the Grand Prix?
Daniel Miller reports on Formula 1 Grand Prix weekends with race-day analysis, team-radio highlights, and point-standings updates. He explains power-unit upgrades, aerodynamic developments, and driver rivalries in straightforward, SEO-friendly language for a global F1 audience.
