Verstappen unable to get through Austin weekend without painkillers for extreme back pain
Shanna is a Formula 1 journalist at GPblog, specializing in both F1 and endurance and GT racing. With a Master’s degree in Journalism and experience at international circuits, she provides in-depth, reliable coverage and insights based on her presence at Grands Prix and racing events worldwide.
Max Verstappen has to lift himself out of his seat at two points in Austin to absorb the impacts in his Red Bull. The Dutchman speaks openly about his back problems and taking painkillers during a race weekend. Earlier scans, which he had partly because of pain in his feet, also revealed problems in his lower back.
The physical strain is almost unbearable for Verstappen at certain points on the Circuit of the Americas. Before the weekend, he had already said that the condition of the circuit, with its many bumps, was unacceptable to him. He has to brace himself especially at Turn 1 and Turn 19. He even adjusts his position in the cockpit to avoid taking the full impact.
“At Turn 1 and here at 19, every time before you get there, I kind of lift myself out of my seat. Otherwise, it’s just impossible to deal with,” Verstappen toldViaplay.
Verstappen undergoes scans after persistent problems
The physical problems are not limited to this weekend. Verstappen says he has also sometimes had a lot of pain in his feet in recent years. That prompted him to have further tests to find out what was causing his symptoms: "At one point, of course, we had a few scans done because I’d also sometimes had a lot of pain in my feet over the past few years," he continues. According to Verstappen, the tests revealed problems with the discs in his lower back.
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The Dutchman describes what he saw in the images in less than reassuring terms: “There’s nothing left there. It’s just grey. These are things people don’t often think about. We have to deal with them too, of course,” he explains.
To cope with the pain in Texas this weekend, Verstappen is taking painkillers: "Yeah, pop the pills!" he laughs. "We try to suppress it. When I see certain people in their sport and how they have to live afterwards, I think: I’m glad I don’t do that sport. Normally, being on painkillers all weekend shouldn’t be part of Formula 1 either."
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Verstappen cannot cancel his order for a new spine just yet
Verstappen had already warned about the bumps in Austin after the Singapore Grand Prix. He had watched the WEC race at COTA and, based on that, was concerned about the impacts awaiting him.
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“After the weekend, I’ll probably need to order a new spine,” he joked at the time. He described dealing with the bumpy asphalt as a new challenge for the entire field.
Speaking during media day in Austin, Verstappen made it clear that his earlier joke reflected genuine concerns about the circuit's condition. The Dutchman revealed that the previous year, his spine was subjected to vertical forces exceeding 9G, highlighting the severity of the bumps. He also expressed frustration that the issue has persisted for several years despite repeated complaints, describing the current situation as unacceptable.
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