Verstappen taking painkillers for COTA bumps; Hamilton 'loves the challenge'
Synopsis
Max Verstappen isn't just complaining about COTA's bumps — he's medicating for them, with scans showing disc damage at the base of his spine. Lando Norris is on headache tablets too. Yet Lewis Hamilton, at 42, says his back is fine and he loves the challenge. The driver divide at Austin has never been more stark — or more medically documented.
Key Takeaways
Max Verstappen revealed he is taking painkillers and lifting himself out of his seat before Turn 1 and Turn 19 to cope with COTA 's bumps.
Scans reportedly show disc damage 'at the bottom of the back' for the Red Bull driver, who starts the race from second on the grid.
Lando Norris described Turn 19 as 'pretty horrible' and said he takes headache tablets before every session at Austin .
Lewis Hamilton , aged 42 , said he personally likes the bumps and that they add 'character' to the track's 'already great layout.' Pierre Gasly called conditions 'very tough' and said he hopes remedial work is done before 2026 , expressing concern for MotoGP riders at the same circuit.
Max Verstappen has revealed he is taking painkillers to cope with the notorious bumps at the Circuit of the Americas (COTA) in Austin, intensifying his long-running criticism of track conditions ahead of the United States Grand Prix. The Red Bull driver, who qualified second on the grid, said scans have shown visible disc damage at the base of his spine.
Verstappen's Physical Toll
'I've had a few scans done, and you can see it in certain discs at the bottom of the back; there's nothing left there,' Verstappen told ViaPlay. 'Before Turn 1 and Turn 19 I lift myself out of the seat before I get there, otherwise it's simply impossible. I'm getting the pills in to manage.'
The four-time world champion had previously described the bumps as 'unacceptable' and 'out of control', calling for the track to be 'fully opened up' so the surface problems could be properly addressed. His latest comments, backed by medical evidence, mark a significant escalation of that concern.
Norris Backs Verstappen, Cites Headache Tablets
Reigning champion Lando Norris sided with Verstappen, singling out Turn 19 as 'pretty horrible.' 'I feel like we're in F1; we should be able to do something, but they don't, so you have to live with it,' Norris said. 'I've been taking headache tablets before every session. It's what I have to deal with; maybe other people don't have the same issues, but I have to, otherwise I can't drive properly.'
The fact that two of the grid's top three championship contenders are medicating to manage track conditions will likely amplify pressure on circuit organisers ahead of next year's event.
Hamilton Takes the Opposite View
Seven-time F1 world champion Lewis Hamilton, now driving for Ferrari, offered a strikingly different perspective. 'People are complaining, I'm 42, and my back is fine,' Hamilton said. 'It is bumpy, but I think it's OK ... I personally like the bumps; I think it adds character to the track, it feels flat, and I love the challenge of that.'
Hamilton argued that the surface irregularities enhance rather than detract from COTA's already strong layout. 'The car is moving, and you have to correct it; in a perfect world it would be a flat track, but then there would be lacking character. I think that's what gives this track that little bit more; it's already a great layout, but the bumps give it a bit more,' he added.
His Ferrari teammate Charles Leclerc similarly reported no significant physical discomfort from the bumps.
Gasly Raises Concern for MotoGP Riders
Alpine's Pierre Gasly described the conditions as 'very tough', saying he had never experienced comparable bumpiness on an F1 circuit. 'I don't think I've ever felt that amount of bumpiness on an F1 track. That's how it is; it's not going to change for tomorrow,' Gasly said.
Gasly, while acknowledging that the underlying soil issue is not easily fixable, expressed hope for improvements before the 2026 race and spared a thought for MotoGP riders at the same venue. 'I just really hope that next year they can do something... when I feel what I feel in my car, I'm thinking about this MotoGP rider. I have absolutely no idea how they are going around there. Sometimes on a single wheel over all these bumps,' he said.
What Happens Next
With the United States Grand Prix at Austin underway, the debate over COTA's surface is unlikely to be resolved race weekend. Circuit authorities have so far not issued a formal response to the drivers' complaints. Attention will now turn to whether FIA or organisers commit to remedial work ahead of the 2026 calendar fixture — a decision that could also carry weight for the circuit's MotoGP contract.
Point of View
Two championship contenders on medication just to function on track. That raises a serious question for the FIA about what constitutes an acceptable racing surface. The MotoGP angle Gasly raised should not be dismissed lightly either — if four-wheeled cars are causing this level of physical distress, the risk profile for two-wheeled bikes at speed is exponentially higher.
NationPress
25 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Max Verstappen taking painkillers at the US Grand Prix?
Verstappen is taking painkillers to manage physical pain caused by the severe bumps at the Circuit of the Americas in Austin. He said scans show disc damage at the base of his spine, and that he physically lifts himself out of his seat before Turn 1 and Turn 19 to absorb the impact.
What did Lewis Hamilton say about the COTA bumps?
Hamilton, who drives for Ferrari and is 42 years old, said his back is fine and that he personally enjoys the bumpy surface. He argued the bumps add 'character' to what is already a great circuit layout and said he 'loves the challenge' they present.
Did Lando Norris agree with Verstappen about the COTA surface?
Yes. Norris called Turn 19 'pretty horrible' and confirmed he takes headache tablets before every session at Austin to manage the effects of the bumps. He expressed frustration that the issue has not been addressed by circuit authorities.
What did Pierre Gasly say about the Circuit of the Americas bumps?
Gasly described the conditions as 'very tough', saying he had never experienced that level of bumpiness on an F1 track. He said he hopes the circuit can address the underlying soil issue before the 2026 race and expressed concern for MotoGP riders who also use the circuit.
What grid position does Verstappen start the US Grand Prix from?
Max Verstappen starts the United States Grand Prix at Circuit of the Americas from second place on the grid.
