Verstappen raises spinal-impact concerns over Austin track bumps

Max Verstappen has raised concerns about the physical strain caused by bumps at Austin's Formula 1 circuit, with Lando Norris backing his criticism. BBC Sport reported that the four-time champion questioned whether the surface should be considered acceptable and warned that the latest cars could make the problem worse.

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Verstappen said he experienced vertical impacts exceeding 9G on his spine at last year's event, compared with cornering forces of around 5-6G. He also said checks on his lower spine had produced concerning findings, linking some of the damage to the cars used in recent seasons. Those were his descriptions of his condition.

The circuit was built on former marshland, a factor BBC Sport identified as complicating efforts to maintain its surface. Verstappen argued that the underlying soil should not serve as an excuse. In his view, that challenge should have been anticipated and addressed through stronger reinforcement beneath the track.

His concerns also extend to how the current cars behave under braking. Verstappen said that, although the 2022-25 cars generally ran with lower ride heights, the latest generation can sit closer to the ground in corners. He attributed that to the transition from open wings on straights to closed wings when approaching corners.

That change can make the cars strike the surface more heavily, he said, with bumpy braking areas posing a particular difficulty. Verstappen also distinguished unevenness caused by movement beneath the circuit from ordinary surface ageing, explaining that a small departure from the usual driving line could expose a driver to unexpected bumps.

Norris supported the complaint, saying the surface fell well outside the tolerances applied when building a new circuit, according to the BBC report. The McLaren driver said bumps could throw his head against the headrest and that he sometimes took headache tablets before driving. He added that drivers had repeatedly raised their concerns.

Mercedes driver George Russell offered a less critical assessment, acknowledging the bumps but describing them as part of racing. He nevertheless suggested Formula 1 circuits should be resurfaced every couple of years to improve consistency, citing deteriorating asphalt and loose track material as wider problems encountered at venues.