Verstappen's spinal damage fears from 'out of control' F1 bumps
Formula 1 driver Max Verstappen has criticized the track conditions at the Circuit of the Americas, citing dangerous bumps that could cause spinal damage. He argues that superficial resurfacing is insufficient and calls for major earthworks to address the underlying soil issues.
Why it matters
The safety of elite athletes is a primary concern in professional sports, and this highlights the ongoing tension between track maintenance costs and driver welfare.
Formula 1 Verstappen's spinal damage fears from 'out of control' F1 bumps Scott Mitchell-Malm, Josh Suttill, Edd Straw 22 Oct 2026 — 3 min read Max Verstappen fears that Formula 1 drivers will suffer “much more” spinal damage than what they have already sustained in recent years if “out of control” bumps like those at the Circuit of the Americas are not addressed.
The bumpy nature of the Austin track has been a frustration for F1 drivers and their MotoGP counterparts for many years, with a major resurfacing initiative in 2022 aimed at alleviating the worst of the complaints.
It has also been resurfaced again ahead of this year’s F1 race, from the entry of Turn 9 to the entry of Turn 11, and smoothed at the entry of Turns 12 and 19, to remove bumps.
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