“I’m 42 and My Back Is Fine”: Lewis Hamilton Seemingly Takes Dig at Max Verstappen Amid Spine Injury Complaints

Lewis Hamilton seemingly took a dig at Max Verstappen after the Red Bull driver complained about the bumps at the Circuit of the Americas (COTA), revealing that he had to take painkillers to alleviate discomfort. While Verstappen raised concerns about their effect on drivers’ backs, Hamilton said he had no problem with the track ahead of the United States Grand Prix.

According to PlanetF1, the seven-time Formula 1 champion Hamilton defended the circuit’s uneven surface, saying, “People are complaining, but I’m 42, and my back is fine.”

Lewis Hamilton Explains Why He Likes COTA’s Bumpy Surface

Hamilton believes the uneven surface adds character to the circuit and makes driving more challenging. He explained, “I personally like the bumps; they add character to the track. I love the challenge of that because you know the car is moving, and you have to correct it.”

Although he acknowledged that a flat surface would make driving easier, the Ferrari driver felt it would take away some of the circuit’s appeal. “In a perfect world, it would be a flat track, but then there would be a lack of character. That’s what gives this track that little bit more,” the Briton argued.

Hamilton also identified the sections where he noticed the bumps but stressed that they did not cause him major problems.

“It’s already a great layout. The bumps give it a bit more. Turn 1 is not a problem for us at all. Turn 19 and Turn 9 are a little bit bumpy, but everyone is in the same boat,” he added.

Meanwhile, Carlos Sainz agreed with Verstappen, comparing the track’s uneven surface to rally racing.

Sainz called the bumps at Turns 1 and 19 excessive, compared the circuit to his father’s Dakar Rally and said ibuprofen helped after sessions. The Spaniard assured that the Grand Prix Drivers’ Association had raised the issue with the FIA.

Lewis Hamilton Faced Severe Back Pain During the Ground-Effect Era

Hamilton’s remarks come after he experienced severe back pain during Formula 1’s ground-effect era, which began in 2022. Mercedes struggled with porpoising, a phenomenon in which aerodynamic forces cause the car to bounce repeatedly at high speed.

The problem became particularly severe at the 2022 Azerbaijan Grand Prix in Baku. Hamilton finished fourth but struggled to get out of his Mercedes because of the pain.

Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff subsequently raised concerns about Hamilton’s participation in the Canadian Grand Prix, the next race weekend.

Hamilton ultimately competed in Canada despite the discomfort. The episode highlighted the physical strain that bouncing cars could place on drivers, although his latest comments suggest that he currently feels comfortable with COTA’s surface.

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