Verstappen takes painkillers in Austin as back problems take their toll

Max Verstappen has revealed that he is taking painkillers to manage the strain on his back during the United States Grand Prix weekend. The bumps at the Circuit of the Americas in Austin have once again drawn complaints from drivers, with the four-time world champion explaining how he tries to soften the painful impacts inside the cockpit.

Managing the pain behind the wheel

“Before Turn 1 and Turn 19 I lift myself out of the seat before I get there. Otherwise it’s just not doable,” the Red Bull driver told Viaplay.

Verstappen explained that persistent discomfort in his feet had prompted him to undergo scans. According to the Dutchman, those examinations revealed problems with discs in his lower spine. He described a physical cost of racing that spectators rarely see, admitting that medication is helping him manage the discomfort through the weekend.

Loads above 9G and a call for a lasting solution

Even before the weekend began, Verstappen had described Austin’s bumps as unacceptable. He said that vertical loads on his spine had exceeded 9G during last year’s race. In his view, the problem is particularly severe under braking, when the car bottoms out against the track surface.

Verstappen stressed that he enjoys the circuit’s layout and the atmosphere in the city, but wants a lasting solution. He warned that continuing to accept such conditions could have long-term consequences for drivers’ health.

The complaints are not limited to Red Bull. Lando Norris has also revealed that he takes headache tablets because of the violent jolts. The condition of the asphalt has consequently become one of the weekend’s biggest talking points, raising questions about the physical demands on the drivers as well as the performance of their cars.

Sources: RacingNews365 / Viaplay, Reuters.