Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton demand Circuit of the Americas resurfacing ahead of F1 return
- Rob Fleming
- 24 October 2023
Red Bull's Max Verstappen and Mercedes' Lewis Hamilton are demanding immediate resurfacing at the Circuit of the Americas before Formula 1 returns to Texas next season.
The urgency for this resurfacing stems from the challenging conditions drivers faced during the United States Grand Prix weekend. While Verstappen emerged victorious ahead of Hamilton, the latter's disqualification post-race cast a shadow on the event.
The undulating bumps and ripples on the Austin circuit have been a persistent issue, primarily attributable to ground subsidence below the track's surface. Frequent maintenance and track shaving have been the norm to ensure a suitable racing environment for both Formula 1 and MotoGP.
After securing his 50th F1 win, Verstappen expressed his concern: "It needs to be redone because at the moment, it feels like it is better suited to a rally car. I'm jumping and bouncing around. In an F1 car, you probably don't see it as much because we are glued to the ground because of the downforce, but the bumps and jumps we have in some places... it's way too much. I don't think it's F1 level.
"I love the track; the layout is amazing, but we definitely need new tarmac, and it needs to be a lot smoother in the coming years. We have already been asking for this for a few years, and it's not really been done."
Lewis Hamilton concurred with Verstappen's sentiment, offering a nuanced perspective: "I like some of the bumps because it adds character to the circuit, but there's way too many. We as drivers and the GPDA, we are open to discussing with them and maybe helping them not do the whole thing so it costs a fortune.
"From the last corner to the start line, for example, that's smooth, then the rest is bumpy. The other areas, we could patch up and improve."
It's noteworthy that Hamilton made these comments before his disqualification was confirmed, emphasizing the significance of the issue.
As the Formula 1 calendar progresses, the next event is the Mexican Grand Prix, slated for the weekend of October 27-29 at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez in Mexico City.
The circuit is renowned for its smooth tarmac, which typically results in low levels of tire degradation. As such, track position and tire selection become pivotal in securing success due to the limited overtaking opportunities on the 4.304km lap.
