Norris backs Verstappen’s criticism of COTA bumps

Lando Norris said he takes headache tablets before driving at the Circuit of the Americas because bumps in the track surface cause his head to hit the headrest, backing Max Verstappen’s criticism of the Austin circuit ahead of the 2026 United States Grand Prix. Speaking Thursday, Norris said the circuit’s uneven surface was severe in places and that drivers had raised concerns about it repeatedly. He said COTA fell well short of the tolerances applied to newly built tracks, while noting that the Austin venue is an older circuit. Norris added that there was little drivers could do beyond voicing their complaints. Verstappen had criticized the bumps earlier that day, calling them unacceptable and saying the only way to remove them would be to open up the track fully, a process he said would cost substantial time and money. He also described checks of his spine, saying its lower end did not look good and attributing further damage to the cars used in recent years. His account was not accompanied by medical records or an independent assessment in the reports. The drivers’ comments add to longstanding concerns about COTA’s surface. Formula One first raced at the circuit in 2012....