Circuit of the Americas boss Bobby Epstein has rejected criticism of the track surface from Max Verstappen, insisting the bumps the Red Bull Formula 1 driver complained about have been fixed. He did concede that a dip at Turn 1 is a genuine problem.
Verstappen had joked after his Singapore win that he would need a new spine after Austin, as World Endurance Championship drivers had been critical of the asphalt when they raced there. After qualifying second on Saturday ahead of the United States Grand Prix, he said he was taking painkillers to manage back pain caused by the bumps.
“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,” he 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.”
Speaking to ESPN, Epstein said the circuit only became aware of the Turn 1 dip this week and would have repaired it had it known sooner. He argued that the other bumps Verstappen referred to had already been dealt with. He added that WEC drivers he spoke to told him there was “no problem”.
“We don’t feel good that there’s a bump at the bottom of Turn 1,” Epstein said.
“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.
“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 tracks].
“But when it’s a dip, it’s a lot different; there’s no easy fix.”
“Max doesn’t say I’m wrong a lot, but he’s also right a lot, and he’s usually very frank, and I appreciate that about him.
“I had no problem with him saying what he said. I think he might be surprised in some areas that bumps he thought were here aren’t any more.”
COTA chief clarifies issue raised by Max Verstappen
Epstein also said he had no issue with Verstappen speaking out, describing him as frank and often right, and suggested the Dutchman might find some of the bumps he expected are now gone.
The Turn 1 dip has raised concern ahead of the race, with Oscar Piastri comparing it to a motocross jump.
“The majority of the track is probably better than what it has been in previous years,”
“But the bump into Turn 1 is a bit like a motocross jump. And the one into Turn 19 is not that much better.” said the Australian.
“So, in qualifying it’s not too bad because you brake after the bump. But in the race tomorrow, you’re braking right on that bump. Especially if you’re overtaking someone into Turn 1.”
COTA’s surface has been a recurring source of driver complaints since F1 first raced there in 2012.
Discussion about this post