AUSTIN, Texas -- Max Verstappen has said he is on painkillers and has to lift himself out of the seat at certain points just to complete laps at the United States Grand Prix, although feelings on the bumpiness at the Circuit of the Americas was mixed after qualifying.
Verstappen joked coming into the weekend that he might need a new spine to complete this weekend's race at COTA. Circuit boss Bobby Epstein downplayed Verstappen's concerns, telling ESPN the circuit is "in really good shape" everywhere except one spot at Turn 1, which cannot be remedied in time for the race.
Speaking on Saturday, Verstappen elaborated further on the wear and tear he's suffered from racing, saying he's got issues with discs in his lower back, while also revealing a second part of the track is as extreme.
"I've had a few scans done and you can see it in certain discs at the bottom of the back there's nothing left there," Verstappen, who will start Sunday's race from second, told ViaPlay.
"Before Turn 1 and Turn 19 I lift myself out of the seat before I get there, otherwise it's simply impossible. I'm getting the pills in to manage."
After qualifying, reigning world champion Lando Norris suggested a fix should have been found.
"Turn 19 is pretty horrible," he said. "I feel like we're in F1, we should be able to do something, but they don't, so you have to live with it. I've been taking headache tablets before every session. It's what I have to deal with, maybe other people don't have the same issues, but I have to, otherwise I can't drive properly."
The bumpiness of COTA's track has been a talking point this week, with drivers having different opinions on it.
Ferrari's Lewis Hamilton shrugged when other drivers' comments about the bumps were put to him after qualifying.
"People are complaining, I'm 42 and my back is fine," the Ferrari driver said.
He added: "It is bumpy, but I think it's OK ... I personally like the bumps, I think it adds character to the track, it feels flat and I love the challenge of that. The car is moving and you have to correct it, in a perfect world it would be a flat track, but then there would 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."
- Kimi Antonelli takes pole in bid to seal world title at United States Grand Prix
- Kimi Antonelli ecstatic with first pole since July at United States GP: 'It's good to be back'
- Lewis Hamilton edges Max Verstappen to go quickest in final practice at United States Grand Prix
Hamilton's teammate Charles Leclerc said the bumps have never affected him physically.
Alpine's Pierre Gasly said it's the most extreme he can remember and joked that it makes him sympathetic to MotoGP riders when they come to COTA.
"Very tough" he said on the bumpiness. "I don't think I've ever felt that amount of bumpiness on an F1 track. That's how it is, it's not going to change for tomorrow.
"I just really hope for next year they can do something. I think there is a natural issue with the soil. I appreciate you can't just fix it and I appreciate it's not like they are discarding our comments or not trying. At the same time, when I feel what I feel in my car, I'm thinking about this MotoGP rider.
"I have absolutely no idea how they are going around there. Sometimes on a single wheel over all these bumps. I appreciate the work but hopefully they can do more."