Lewis Hamilton has pushed back against Max Verstappen's criticism of the bumpy Circuit of the Americas, saying the bumps add character to the track ahead of the United States Grand Prix.
The Ferrari driver responded after Red Bull's Verstappen described the bumps as 'unacceptable' and said they were causing problems at the bottom end of his spine following medical checks. Hamilton, however, sees the uneven surface as part of the challenge in Austin.
Hamilton Defends the Bumps
"I personally like the bumps. I think it adds character to the track. And I love the challenge with that because if, you know, the car is moving and you have to correct it," Hamilton said.
"I mean, you know, in a perfect world, it would be a flat track, but then it'd be lacking character. I think that's what gives this track that little bit more... It's already a great layout, but the bumps give it a bit more."
The 42-year-old dismissed concerns about specific corners, noting: "Turn 1 is not a problem for us at all. It's, like, Turn 19 and Turn 9, which is a little bit bumpy, but it wasn't... Yeah, everyone's in the same boat."
Verstappen's Concerns
Hamilton added: "I don't think it's bad. I mean, jeez. People are complaining that on the... I mean, I'm 42, my back's fine."
Verstappen, who loves the track and the city, was less forgiving. "I love this track, I love this place. It's one of the best layouts ever and it's one of the best venues, best city to be at. But for me the bumps are unacceptable. Over time they've been grinding a little bit here and there but it's just putting a plaster on the big problem," he said.
"But that of course means you need to really fully open up the track. That costs a lot of money and time but that's the only way to get rid of it because these bumps are not natural and they are out of control."
Verstappen added: "It's really not nice, and I think sometimes people don't really understand that because I can tell you from the checks that I've done from my spine, the bottom end doesn't look that great, the spine."
Qualifying Context
Kimi Antonelli secured pole position for the United States Grand Prix on a weekend where he could clinch his status as Formula One's youngest world champion. The Italian edged out Verstappen – victor of the previous two races – by 0.179 seconds, with Isack Hadjar claiming third in the second Red Bull.
For Antonelli to secure the championship in the Lone Star State, he must triumph in Sunday's race while hoping that George Russell finishes ninth or below and Hamilton fifth or lower.
