“We Should Just Start Communicating in Sign Language” – Max Verstappen Frustrated After Facing Radio Issues Again at COTA

Max Verstappen expressed his frustration with Red Bull’s recurring radio failures during Sunday’s United States Grand Prix at the Circuit of the Americas. Speaking to the media after the race, the four-time world champion sarcastically suggested switching to sign language to overcome the repeated communication issues this season.

“I don’t know how many times this year,” Verstappen told motorsports.com. “Maybe we should just start communicating in sign language.

“It’s probably cheaper as well. It’s a disaster. Yeah, it’s a disaster. It’s really frustrating, to be honest.”

Max Verstappen was not the only Red Bull driver who faced the radio issues at COTA. His teammate Isack Hadjar also complained about it, as he said after the race that he “can’t hear what’s happening in the pits”.

Max Verstappen Had an Issue-Ridden COTA Race

Radio issues were not the only struggle he faced at COTA, as the Red Bull star’s team made poor tire choices and a slow pit stop further added to his struggles.

Verstappen was particularly unhappy with the inconsistent behaviour of his power unit, which made it difficult for him to build a rhythm throughout the United States GP.

“Too many issues with the power unit, where it was just very inconsistent behaviour around the corners, every lap, every corner, different behaviour,” Verstappen said.  

“So, you can’t build up a rhythm, you can’t build any kind of consistency in the car. I had a slow pitstop. So, yeah, too many things today that just didn’t go well.”

Despite the setbacks, Max Verstappen managed to secure a third-place finish behind winner Kimi Antonelli and Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc at COTA. It marked his 10^th podium finish of the season.

Max Verstappen is Knocked Out of the Championship Battle

For the first time since the 2020 Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix, the four-time world champion is knocked out of the title fight. Five rounds are still left in 2026.   

After securing a podium finish, Max Verstappen summed up his outing through an Instagram post and shared a heartfelt caption.

“At least we got a podium,” the 29-year-old wrote on his Instagram handle called @maxverstappen1. “Our pace and consistency weren’t where we wanted it to be, lots to learn from”

“Great to see so much support out here this weekend. Thank you Austin 🙌”

If Antonelli finishes in the top nine in Mexico next weekend, he will secure his maiden F1 title and become the youngest champion in sports history at the age of 20.

Red Bull currently sits third in the constructors’ championship, tying with McLaren at 355 points.

Watch the 18th round of the 2026 F1 season, the Mexican Grand Prix at the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez, in action from October 31 to November 2.

More F1 Reading

• Toto Wolff Calls Kimi Antonelli’s USGP Win “The Race of a Champion”
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• “It’s Crazy To Be 12 Clicks Down” – Lewis Hamilton Calls Out Ferrari’s Setup After Missing USGP Podium
• Charles Leclerc Confident of Incoming Victory After a Strong 2nd Place Result in COTA