COTA Chief Addresses Criticisms of Track Conditions
Circuit of The Americas owner Bobby Epstein responds to drivers' complaints about track bumps. While acknowledging issues at Turn 1, Epstein argues that the rest of the track is in good shape.
Circuit of The Americas (COTA) owner Bobby Epstein has addressed recent criticisms from drivers regarding the track's condition, particularly its notorious bumps. Max Verstappen of Red Bull and Audi's Gabriel Bortoleto were among those who voiced their dissatisfaction, with Verstappen calling the bumps "out of control" and Bortoleto suggesting they bring the track below "F1 standard." However, Epstein believes the concerns are largely isolated to Turn 1.
COTA Boss Defends Track Surface, Except Turn 1
Despite its bumpy reputation, COTA remains a favorite among drivers. Yet, during the 2026 F1 season, the chatter among the paddock revolved around the need to address these bumps. Verstappen praised the layout and location but criticized the track's surface, noting, "the bumps that we have are unacceptable." He emphasized that addressing the underlying issues, despite the time and cost, is the only way to resolve the problem.
Verstappen also cited scans highlighting the toll these bumps take on his spine. Bortoleto and Ferrari's Charles Leclerc echoed these sentiments, with Leclerc describing the surface as "very poor," particularly in the first sector.
While some, like Alpine's Steve Nielsen, view the bumps as part of the circuit's character, Epstein spoke to ESPN, defending the track's overall state. He acknowledged a problem at Turn 1, saying, "We don’t feel good that there’s a bump at the bottom of Turn 1. We didn’t know about it until this week. We would have fixed it." He added that other issues mentioned by Verstappen have been addressed and that the track is in "really good shape."
Epstein noted feedback from World Endurance Championship drivers who reported no significant issues. He clarified that the concern at Turn 1 is more of a dip than a bump, which complicates the fix. "If it were a bump, we’d sharpen it out," he said, acknowledging the complexity of addressing dips.
Epstein appreciated Verstappen's candid feedback, remarking, "Max doesn’t say I’m wrong a lot, but he’s also right a lot, and he’s usually very frank, and I appreciate that about him." He hinted that Verstappen might find some previously problematic areas improved.
It's worth noting that Verstappen has had success at COTA, being a four-time winner of the United States Grand Prix in Austin.