COTA Boss Addresses Driver Health Concerns Over Track Bumps

Circuit of the Americas (COTA) owner Bobby Epstein is defending the venue's condition following stark warnings from top drivers regarding the track's surface. While Epstein insists the circuit is in "really good shape," he admitted that a specific issue at Turn 1 remains unresolved, contradicting some of the optimism regarding recent repairs.

Why it matters:

Driver health and safety extend beyond crash barriers to the physical toll of the track surface. With Max Verstappen reporting spinal damage and Lando Norris citing cockpit-induced headaches, the conversation has shifted from lap time optimization to long-term physiological wear and tear. In a high-downforce era, extreme bumps aren't just a performance hindrance—they are a liability for driver longevity.

The Details:

• Driver Complaints: Max Verstappen warned that COTA's bumpiness has grown "out of control," noting that a recent check-up revealed damage to his lower spine from racing fatigue.
• Physical Toll: Lando Norris corroborated these concerns, mentioning the need for headache medication to cope with the vibrations experienced during the race weekend.
• The Turn 1 Dilemma: Bobby Epstein acknowledged a "dip" at the bottom of Turn 1, describing it as "not acceptable." He clarified that while bumps can be ground down overnight, a dip requires a more complex structural fix.
• Divided Feedback: Perspectives from the paddock remain split. Cadillac's Valtteri Bottas noted that the larger bumps have been mitigated, whereas Alpine's Franco Colapinto maintained that the track remains harsh on the drivers' backs.

What's next:

As the United States Grand Prix proceeds, the focus will be on whether the reported improvements are sufficient to satisfy the grid. The feedback from the remaining sessions will likely determine if COTA needs to implement more aggressive resurfacing strategies during the off-season to prevent the circuit from becoming a health hazard for the 2027 season.