Verstappen calls for deeper Austin track repairs as Norris backs bump concerns

Max Verstappen has called for more extensive work on the Circuit of the Americas, saying repeated attempts to smooth its surface have failed to address the underlying problem. Speaking in Austin on Thursday, the Red Bull driver raised concerns about the physical impact on drivers, according to BBC Sport and Autosport.

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Autosport reported that the circuit has again received targeted repairs for the 2026 United States Grand Prix. The section between Turns 9 and 11 has been resurfaced, with additional work on bumps between Turns 12 and 19. Those interventions follow a complete resurfacing before the 2024 race, illustrating that the issue has persisted despite work on the asphalt.

Verstappen argued that repairs needed to reach beneath the racing surface rather than concentrate on grinding down individual bumps. He acknowledged that opening up the track would require considerable time and money, but said the ground underneath needed attention. Autosport reported that shifting clay beneath the venue contributes to the uneven surface as weather conditions change.

The four-time world champion also warned that the current cars could make the experience worse in some places. He said their changing aerodynamic configuration brings the ride height down during braking, increasing the risk of the car striking the track. He recalled vertical impacts exceeding 9G at Austin last year. Those figures were Verstappen's account of his experience, rather than independently verified measurements.

BBC Sport reported that Lando Norris supported Verstappen's criticism. Norris said the bumps could cause drivers' heads to hit their headrests and that he sometimes took headache tablets before driving at particularly rough venues. He also said drivers had raised the subject repeatedly, while expressing frustration about how much more they could achieve through complaints alone.

George Russell offered a different emphasis, describing bumps as part of racing while arguing that Formula 1 circuits should generally be resurfaced every couple of years. According to BBC Sport, the Mercedes driver pointed to deteriorating asphalt at some venues. His comments favoured regular maintenance, while Verstappen's central demand was for work addressing the ground beneath Austin's surface.