Lando Norris backs Max Verstappen over COTA bumps, reveals headache tablet use

Lando Norris has come to Max Verstappen's defense, supporting his comments about the unacceptable bumps at the Circuit of the Americas (COTA). The British driver revealed he takes headache tablets before starting to race, due to the severity of the bumps. Verstappen, during a race commentary, joked about needing a new spine after the Austin GP or becoming like Robocop due to the track conditions.

Norris concurred, stating that the track is so bumpy that it's "not F1 level" and that drivers are constantly complaining about it, but there's not much that can be done about it. The issue with COTA's surface has been ongoing since the first F1 race at the track in 2012. The circuit chairman, Bobby Epstein, had promised to fix the worst areas after Verstappen's comments in 2023, but the track has continued to pose challenges for drivers since then.

Mercedes' George Russell also commented on the bumps, saying they are "part of racing" but suggesting that F1 tracks should be resurfaced every couple of years.