Home / Sports / F1 Drivers Brace for Painful US GP at COTA
F1 Drivers Brace for Painful US GP at COTA
25 Oct
Summary
- Max Verstappen uses painkillers and lifts himself to complete laps.
- Lando Norris takes headache tablets due to extreme track bumpiness.
- Lewis Hamilton enjoys the bumps, calling them track character.
Max Verstappen has revealed he is using painkillers and must brace himself to complete laps at the United States Grand Prix, citing extreme bumpiness at the Circuit of the Americas (COTA).
Verstappen indicated that he has disc issues in his lower back, stating that before specific turns like Turn 1 and Turn 19, he has to lift himself out of his seat to manage the impacts. He mentioned that scans show significant wear on discs in his lower back.
Reigning world champion Lando Norris echoed concerns, describing Turn 19 as "pretty horrible" and admitting he takes headache tablets before sessions. He feels F1 should find solutions for such conditions.
However, perspectives differ among drivers. Lewis Hamilton, despite the track being bumpy, expressed that his back is fine and he personally enjoys the challenge, believing the bumps add character to the circuit.
Ferrari teammate Charles Leclerc stated the bumps have not affected him physically. Pierre Gasly described the bumpiness as the most extreme he has experienced on an F1 track and expressed hope for track improvements in the future.
