23 October 2023 , 01:52
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Max Verstappen led criticism from Formula 1 drivers about the state of the Circuit of the Americas track after the United States Grand Prix.
The Austin circuit has been on the F1 calendar for more than a decade now and has become a favourite among drivers and fans alike. Sections of the track are inspired by some of the most famous corners on tracks around the world, with much of the first sector reminiscent of the Maggots and Becketts corners at Silverstone.
But the surface this year has come in for some criticism. Drivers endured a particularly bumpy ride at times which not only meant it was uncomfortable for them, but it also led to a collision which took two drivers out of the race.
Esteban Ocon went over a big bump on the first lap which meant he drifted wide at a corner and made contact with Oscar Piastri. The Frenchman had to retire with a hole in his sidepod, while the McLaren racer also suffered terminal damage, but to one of his radiators which was making his car overheat.
"At the moment it feels like it’s better suited to a rally car," said race-winner Verstappen of the COTA surface. "Like, I'm jumping and bouncing around. In an F1 car, you probably don't even see it as much because of course we are glued to the ground because of the downforce.
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"But the bumps and jumps that we have in some places, it's way too much. I don't think it's F1 level. I love this track, honestly, the layout is amazing, but we definitely need new tarmac."
More scrutiny will surely be placed upon the track surface after Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc were disqualified from the race. They had finished second and sixth respectively, but post-race checks discovered both cars had excessive wear to the rear skids which were outside F1 regulations after banging repeatedly against the track.
As a result, they were stripped of their places in the race classification. But even before he knew that was going to happen, Hamilton had asserted to reporters that the track needs changes. "I like some of the bumps because it adds character to a circuit, but there's way too many," he said.
"We could work, we as drivers in the GPDA, we're open to discussing with them and helping them maybe not doing the whole thing so it costs a fortune. Like, from the last corner to the start line, for example, that's smooth, then the rest is bumpy. Pit lane is smooth, but there are other areas that for sure we could patch up and improve."
And Lando Norris pointed out his main issue with the track: "It would be helpful if they didn't put [new] tarmac in a braking zone as well. They resurfaced some places and they start the tarmac at the 100-metre board into Turn 12, which is where we brake. So, [there are] little things they could do."