2026 US GP: Verstappen flags Austin bumps

Reports before the 2026 United States Grand Prix said Max Verstappen and other drivers raised concerns about Austin’s bumps in FIA discussions.

Max Verstappen was among the drivers reported to have raised concerns about the Circuit of the Americas surface before the 2026 United States Grand Prix. BBC Sport reported that Verstappen described the bumps as unacceptable and out of control, while Autosport and Motorsport.com said the issue had become a major talking point in the paddock.

Autosport and Motorsport.com reported that drivers discussed the track surface in Friday evening’s drivers’ briefing, with Verstappen then continuing talks with FIA representatives. Motorsport.com also reported that Circuit of the Americas chairman Bobby Epstein acknowledged the dip at the bottom of Turn 1 needed attention.

No official FIA ruling was cited in the supplied reports. Verstappen arrived at the weekend fourth in the 2026 drivers’ championship on 221 points; across his Formula 1 career to that point, he had 242 starts, 71 wins, 51 poles and 129 podiums.