“Doesn’t Look That Great” – Max Verstappen Raises Spine Concerns Amid COTA’s Bumpy Track Surface Talks

Max Verstappen has raised serious concerns about the impact of F1’s bumpy tracks on drivers’ spines. Ahead of the 2026 U.S. Grand Prix, the Red Bull Racing star revealed that the lower part of his spine doesn’t look good after medical checkups. He is especially worried about the surface of the Circuit of the Americas (COTA).

“I think sometimes people don’t really understand that because I can tell you from the checks that I’ve done from [sic] my spine, the bottom end doesn’t look that great, the spine,” Verstappen told Sky Sports F1 about the physical toll on his body.

“I know that’s part of racing. I know that can be part of sport, but it’s of course also further damage from the cars that we had the last few years.

“Now, if we continue with finding this acceptable to drive on, then you are going to suffer with that much more.”

Although COTA is one of Verstappen’s favorite tracks, the circuit is known for its uneven surface, and its bumps could present another physical challenge for him this weekend.

Max Verstappen Concerned About COTA’s Extremely Bumpy Surface

The Red Bull star has openly criticised the bumpy surface of COTA this weekend when speaking to the media. He pointed out the track’s condition, referencing the bumps observed in the recent World Endurance Championship (WEC). He admitted that he was not looking forward to tackling the uneven surface, given its potential impact on his spine.

“You can also see the track conditions. From what I saw in the WEC, the circuit was extremely bumpy,” Verstappen said.

“I’m not really looking forward to that, to be honest, for your spine. I was joking about that in the last race, but it’s not really a joke, to be honest, because we mentioned this already for years that it’s actually getting a bit out of control.

“I’m sure it’s going to be quite tough to find the right compromises around this track in places where it’s just extremely bumpy. I don’t know how our car is going to respond to that.”

Verstappen Once Again in the Mix for a Top 3 Result

Despite the open criticism, the Dutchman showed an impressive pace on Friday’s running and remained close to the top of the timing charts on the first day of practice at COTA.

Verstappen finished second in FP1 by 0.84 seconds behind leader Charles Leclerc. In FP2, he finished third, behind leader Leclerc and title contender Kimi Antonelli.

Max Verstappen, the defending winner of the event, arrives in Austin with winning momentum after claiming his first two victories of the season in back-to-back races in Singapore and Malaysia. He will surely be looking to continue his winning streak come race day on Sunday.

More F1 Reading

• “I Was Playing With Hot Wheels” – Kimi Antonelli Reveals What He Remembers When Sebastian Vettel Made F1 History
• 207 Violations on Friday: Why Is COTA So Difficult for F1 Drivers To Keep Within Track Limits
• F1 Race Control 3.0: Key Changes Revealed as FIA Launches New System
• “Impossible To Put a Lap Together” – Lando Norris on McLaren’s Struggles After Practice in Austin