Norris agrees with Verstappen and reveals the use of painkillers to endure the bumps at COTA

The Grand Prix of USA at the Circuit of the Americas (COTA) continues to give something to talk about, and not precisely because of the excitement of the battles on the track, but because of the critical state of its asphalt. After harsh criticism from Max Verstappen —who joked about needing to “buy a new column or become like ‘Robocop’—has been Lando Norris who has raised his voice to unwaveringly support the pilot of Red Bull.

The surprising thing about the statements of the British McLaren is the revelation of the physical toll you pay every weekend in austin. According to Norristhe potholes are of such magnitude that he is forced to take headache pills before heading towards the car.

The situation far exceeds the current standards required by the FIA for the construction of new routes. “If you build a track today, the regulatory tolerances are very strict. COTA doesn’t comply with any of that, of course it’s an old circuit, but the current state is pretty bad,” lamented the papaya pilot.

Norris detailed the torture that the body of an elite athlete is subjected to at more than 300 kilometers per hour: the potholes are so violent that they cause constant impacts of the helmet against the headrest, turning driving into an extremely uncomfortable and painful experience. “There are a lot of places where I need to take painkillers before going out. You hit your head hard on the supports, so it’s not pleasant at all,” he added.

Although drivers repeatedly raise their complaints with the category, the grid’s ability to maneuver is limited. “We complain, it is debated many times, but there is a limit to how much we can push. However, Max is absolutely right”he sentenced.

The problems in austin They are not new. Since the top category first set foot on Texan asphalt in 2012, complaints about irregularities have been a constant.

Despite the partial resurfacing and the board’s promises of a guaranteed contract to race in COTA Until the year 2034, technical factors such as the current cars that circulate just ten millimeters off the ground and the smaller profile of the 18-inch tires make drivers feel every imperfection as a direct blow to their physical resistance.