Lewis Hamilton agrees with Max Verstappen to “patch up and improve” the many bumps currently found at COTA

Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen conceded that the Circuit of the Americas needed to be uniformly resurfaced. Speaking to Sportskeeda in the post-race press conference, the duo felt the bumps on the circuit and inconsistent asphalt conditions affected the quality of racing.

Hailed as the bumpiest track on the calendar, several drivers complained about the undulated track surface compromising their performance and tire management throughout the 2023 US GP race weekend. Asked by Sportskeeda if the circuit needed a complete resurfacing and their views on the asphalt at COTA, both Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton agreed that the track needed improvements to make it more race-worthy in an F1 car.

Answering Sportskeeda’s question, Max Verstappen said:

“Yeah, it needs to be redone because at the moment it feels like it's better suited to a rally car. Like I'm jumping and bouncing around. In an F1 car probably you don't even see it as much because of course we are glued to the ground because of the downforce but the bumps and jumps that we have in some places, this is 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 and it needs to be a lot smoother for the coming years because we (have been) already asking for this for I think quite a few years, and it's not really been done.”

Agreeing with the Dutchman’s opinion of the circuit, Lewis Hamilton said:

“Yeah, I agree with Max, it's bumpy. I like some of the bumps because it adds character to a circuit, but there's way too many. As drivers in the GPDA we are open to discussing with them and helping them, like maybe not doing the whole thing so it costs a fortune. From the last corner to the start line, for example, that's smooth, but then the rest of it might not be. The pit lane is smooth but there are other areas that for sure they could patch up and improve.”

Not one to shy away from race-related matters, Max Verstappen has always been articulate about his opinions on improving the quality of racing. The Dutchman felt that the COTA track surface did not suit the current F1 cars, which relied on ground effect to generate downforce. Explaining that since they are closer to the ground in the new F1 cars, the problems with the circuit are not easily visible. The reigning champion praised the layout of the circuit but lamented its track surface which is smooth in patches and has a majority of bumpy areas.

Agreeing with the reigning triple champion, Lewis Hamilton felt the drivers and GPDA were ready to discuss and assist the US GP promoters to improve their circuit's tarmac. As much as he liked the idea of a few bumps which he claims adds character to a circuit, the Briton felt the Austin circuit was extreme in its rough surface. The bumpy nature had contributed to moving the skid blocks on the plank in his car to a certain extent, causing a technical breach and resulting in a disqualification for him and Charles Leclerc.

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Lando Norris agrees with Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen about COTA’s track conditions

Agreeing with world champions Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton on their opinions about the bumps at COTA, Lando Norris felt it would be better if they improved the tarmac in the braking zones in particular. The Briton claimed that they might resurface the first sector for the 2024 season and is looking forward to better racing in Austin.

Answering Sportskeeda’s question about the track surface at COTA, Norris said:

“They’ve covered it. It would be helpful if they didn't put tarmac in a braking zone as well. They’ve resurfaced some places and they start the tarmac at the 100-metre board into Turn 12, which is where we brake. So just little things they could do. From what I heard they're resurfacing the first sector or something next year, so we'll hope it's a little bit better.”

After the disqualification of Lewis Hamilton from the race, Norris was promoted to second behind Max Verstappen. Leclerc’s disqualification further promoted Ferrari's Carlos Sainz to third place. As the decision of disqualification came hours after the race, it sparked a shuffle in the US GP race classification. Claiming the 50th win of his career in Austin, the reigning Dutch champion has now won 15 races in total, with four more rounds left on the calendar.