Lewis Hamilton disagreed with Max Verstappen’s criticisms of the undulations at the Circuit of the Americas in Austin, and stated that the irregularities in the asphalt contribute to the track’s character. While the Red Bull Racing driver deems the situation unacceptable, the Ferrari driver said he enjoys the challenge and assured he is not feeling any physical issues.
The condition of the track was one of the topics discussed by the drivers during this weekend’s United States Grand Prix of Formula 1. Verstappen voiced his dissatisfaction with the undulations and assessed that the interventions carried out over time do not solve the problem definitively.
“I love this track, I love this place. It’s one of the best tracks of all time and one of the best venues, in the best city to be in. But, for me, the undulations are unacceptable,” the Dutchman stated.
Verstappen also advocated for a broader intervention on the circuit, although he acknowledges that such a measure would require time and investment. According to him, the irregularities affect even his physical condition. The driver mentioned tests performed on the spine and said that the lower part does not present a very good picture.
Hamilton, on the other hand, sees the asphalt’s characteristics differently: “Personally, I like the undulations. I think they give the track personality. I also like the challenge, because when the car moves, you need to correct it,” he said.
The Briton acknowledged that, in ideal conditions, the circuit would be flat, but he noted that this could take away part of its character. He pointed to turns 9 and 19 as the sections where he feels the undulations the most, while turn 1 does not pose a problem for his team: “Everyone is in the same situation. I don’t think it’s that bad,” added Hamilton.
At 42 years old, the British driver also responded with irony to concerns about the effects of the undulations on competitors: “I mean, come on… People are complaining about this. I’m 42 years old, my back is fine,” concluded the seven-time F1 champion.
