Max Verstappen's Austin GP complaints prompt response from COTA chief
· Yahoo Sports
Bobby Epstein, the chairman of the Circuit of the Americas, has responded to Max Verstappen's criticism of the track, admitting that the dip at the bottom of Turn 1 is "not acceptable".
Visit een-wit.pl for more information.
Ahead of the United States Grand Prix, the four-time Formula 1 world champion used his media session to complain about the track surface, saying the bumps were "unacceptable" and adding that they had become "out of control".
"From what I saw in WEC, it was extremely badly bumpy. I’m not really looking forward to that, to be honest, for your spine,” Verstappen told the media on Thursday. “I was joking about that in the last race, but it’s not really a joke to be honest. We mentioned this already for years, that it’s actually getting a bit out of control.”
Speaking to ESPN, Epstein accepted there was a problem at Turn 1, but said the circuit had only become aware of it this week.
"We don't feel good that there's a bump at the bottom of Turn 1," Epstein admitted to the outlet. "We didn't know about it until this week. We would have fixed it.
"But the other things Max spoke about, all the bumps around the track, we've fixed them. The track is in really good shape.
Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing
Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing"I talked to some WEC drivers who said there's no problem. There's one bump at the beginning of [Turn] 1 that is not acceptable in my mind... It's a dip, not a bump. If it were a bump, we'd sharpen it out, we'd take care of it tomorrow night, or overnight tonight, and that kind of stuff's happened before [at other circuits]. But when it's a dip it's a lot different, there's no easy fix."
Bumps have been a long-running issue at COTA, which is built on clay that changes as the weather changes. The whole track was resurfaced before the 2024 race, and the section between Turns 9 and 11 has been resurfaced again for this year, with repairs carried out between Turns 12 and 19.
Verstappen believes that is not enough. “Over time, they’ve been grinding a little bit here and there, but you’re putting a plaster on the big problem and that’s just what’s underneath,” he said.
Other drivers have backed him on these claims, including reigning champion Lando Norris.
Photos from F1 United States GP - Saturday
Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari
Lewis Hamilton, FerrariRonaldo Schemidt / AFP via Getty Images
George Russell, Mercedes
George Russell, MercedesClive Mason - Getty Images
An inflatable F1 car
An inflatable F1 carRudy Carezzevoli / Getty Images
Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes
Andrea Kimi Antonelli, MercedesClive Mason - Getty Images
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari
Charles Leclerc, FerrariSimon Galloway / LAT Images via Getty Images
Isack Hadjar, Red Bull Racing
Isack Hadjar, Red Bull RacingMark Thompson / Getty Images
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, Lewis Hamilton, FerrariSimon Galloway / LAT Images via Getty Images
George Russell, Mercedes
George Russell, MercedesBryn Lennon / Formula 1 via Getty Images
Adrian Newey, Aston Martin Racing
Adrian Newey, Aston Martin RacingJames Sutton / LAT Images via Getty Images
Franco Colapinto, Alpine
Franco Colapinto, AlpineBryn Lennon / Formula 1 via Getty Images
Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes, George Russell, Mercedes
Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes, George Russell, MercedesBryn Lennon / Formula 1 via Getty Images
Yuki Tsunoda, Red Bull Racing, Kayna Lang arrive in the paddock.
Yuki Tsunoda, Red Bull Racing, Kayna Lang arrive in the paddock.Peter Fox / Getty Images
Franco Colapinto, Alpine, Sergio Perez, Cadillac Racing
Franco Colapinto, Alpine, Sergio Perez, Cadillac RacingManuel Eletto
Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes
Andrea Kimi Antonelli, MercedesBryn Lennon / Formula 1 via Getty Images
Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari
Lewis Hamilton, FerrariAngela Weiss / AFP via Getty Images
Lance Stroll, Aston Martin Racing
Lance Stroll, Aston Martin RacingChris Graythen / Getty Images
Pierre Gasly, Alpine
Pierre Gasly, AlpineManuel Eletto
Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes
Andrea Kimi Antonelli, MercedesChris Graythen / Getty Images
Gabriel Bortoleto, Audi F1 Team
Gabriel Bortoleto, Audi F1 TeamSimon Galloway / LAT Images via Getty Images
The FIA Safety Car
The FIA Safety CarClive Mason - Getty Images
Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing
Max Verstappen, Red Bull RacingRonaldo Schemidt / AFP via Getty Images
Gabriel Bortoleto, Audi F1 Team, Nico Hülkenberg, Audi F1 Team
Gabriel Bortoleto, Audi F1 Team, Nico Hülkenberg, Audi F1 TeamSam Bloxham / LAT Images via Getty Images
Lando Norris, McLaren
Lando Norris, McLarenChris Graythen / Getty Images
Lando Norris, McLaren
Lando Norris, McLarenSam Bloxham / LAT Images via Getty Images
Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing
Max Verstappen, Red Bull RacingRudy Carezzevoli / Getty Images
Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari
Lewis Hamilton, FerrariSimon Galloway / LAT Images via Getty Images
George Russell, Mercedes
George Russell, MercedesRonaldo Schemidt / AFP via Getty Images
Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari
Lewis Hamilton, FerrariRudy Carezzevoli / Getty Images
Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing
Max Verstappen, Red Bull RacingAlessio Morgese / NurPhoto via Getty Images
Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes
Andrea Kimi Antonelli, MercedesSimon Galloway / LAT Images via Getty Images
Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari, Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 Team
Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari, Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 TeamPeter Fox / Getty Images
Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing
Max Verstappen, Red Bull RacingJames Sutton / LAT Images via Getty Images
Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes
Andrea Kimi Antonelli, MercedesSam Bloxham / LAT Images via Getty Images
Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing
Max Verstappen, Red Bull RacingSimon Galloway / LAT Images via Getty Images
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari
Charles Leclerc, FerrariAlex Bierens de Haan / LAT Images via Getty Images
Lando Norris, McLaren
Lando Norris, McLarenJames Sutton / LAT Images via Getty Images
Read Also: F1 United States GP: Charles Leclerc pips Max Verstappen to top FP1 Red Bull identifies two "key focus" areas after Max Verstappen's promising start in Austin George Russell calls for F1 track changes after Max Verstappen's COTA complaintsTo read more Motorsport.com articles visit our website.