F1 US Grand Prix: Why the Drivers Want Changes to the Track

Red Bull's Max Verstappen has been dominant in Austin, winning four of the last five United States Grands Prix. But Verstappen actually finds it physically difficult to race at the Circuit of The Americas, particularly due to the bumpy surface of the track.

Verstappen, winner of the last two races, expressed his concern about the physically demanding race at COTA. He said that he watched the World Endurance Championship (WEC) race this year, and noted how dangerous the bumpy track is to a driver's spine.

"So last year, for example, you pull around 5, 6G in a corner, but I had some impacts, like vertical load, which was like over 9G on my spine. I can tell you it's really not fun. And especially the older you get, you think about that more and more."

COTA actually has a reputation for being one of the most physically demanding circuits on the F1 calendar. Its combination of asphalt bumps, aggressive kerbs, rapid direction changes, heavy braking, and dramatic elevation changes makes it a serious challenge for the drivers.

The track sits on Texas' high-plasticity, expansive clay soils, which is common in East Austin. The soils can shrink during dry conditions and swell when they absorb moisture. This causes the ground beneath to heave, shift, and settle unevenly over time. 

Moreover, repeated loading from heavy vehicles, temperature changes, and the unique demands of a race circuit can compound the problem. 

First of all, an F1 car, especially the ones in this modern era, is designed to run extremely close to the ground. It must balance grip, stability, and aerodynamic performance.

A bump along the track disrupts that balance, causing the car to bottom out, which could result in a violent impact. The car's suspension absorbs some of the impact, but the driver's body still feels the hit. Sharp bumps can jolt the torso, shake the helmet, and vibrate the steering wheel.

The impact is also harmful to the driver's spine, something that Verstappen is very vocal about. McLaren driver Lando Norris also points out the severe headaches he usually goes through when he races at COTA.

Yes, of course. COTA has repeatedly attempted to address the problem, but the bumps would just return or persist in other areas of the track. They recently smoothed out the bumps and resurfaced the entry of Turn 9 to the entry of Turn 11.

Still, Verstappen describes it as just "putting a plaster on the big problem." The Red Bull driver mentioned that the only real fix would be to open up the track and reinforce its foundation properly.

The recent resurfacing gives teams a better starting point, but we'll monitor the drivers' feedback after Free Practice 1 on Friday. Moreover, engineers may need to balance aerodynamic performance against suspension compliance and ride height. 

Teams will rely a lot on drivers' feedback during practice, and expect them to experiment with different setups before the qualifying session on Saturday.