Verstappen demands full track overhaul after spine damage

At the 2026 Formula 1 United States Grand Prix, drivers complained that the Circuit of the Americas (COTA) had become too bumpy, even after resurfacing work in 2022 and again before this year’s race to smooth the most problematic sections.

Spinal impact revealed

Max Verstappen, the four‑time world champion, said a medical check revealed damage to the lower part of his spine after the race. He described the forces on his body as significant and noted that the impact on his spine was more severe than the typical forces experienced in a corner.

Other top drivers echoed his concerns. George Russell said F1 tracks should be repaved every few years because the tarmac is deteriorating, and Lando Norris added that the current circuits do not meet the strict tolerances that new tracks are required to follow, causing drivers to hit their headrests more harshly.

Verstappen called for a comprehensive earth‑works project to rebuild the track surface entirely. He warned that patching or plastering the bumps would be a short‑term fix that does not address the underlying shifting ground and that the solution would be costly and time‑consuming but is the only way to prevent further spinal injury.