2026 United States GP: COTA bumps draw criticism

Ahead of the 2026 United States Grand Prix, multiple outlets reported driver concern over COTA bumps, led by Max Verstappen's complaints.

Ahead of the 2026 United States Grand Prix, multiple outlets reported growing concern over the Circuit of the Americas surface. BBC Sport reported that Max Verstappen called the bumps "unacceptable" and "out of control", while Autosport also described the issue as a major paddock talking point. Verstappen, 28, arrived fourth in the 2026 drivers' championship on 221 points; across 242 Formula 1 starts, he has 71 wins, 51 poles and 129 podiums.

Autosport and Motorsport.com reported that drivers raised the matter in Friday evening's drivers' briefing, after which Verstappen stayed on to speak further with FIA representatives. Motorsport.com also reported that Oscar Piastri warned the bump on the approach to Turn 1 could affect overtaking and likened it to a motocross jump. In a separate report, Motorsport.com said Circuit of the Americas chairman Bobby Epstein accepted that the dip at the bottom of Turn 1 was "not acceptable", with any further response still unclear as the weekend continued.