Carlos Sainz has backed Max Verstappen's criticism of the bumps at the Circuit of the Americas, revealing that he also needs painkillers to cope with the physical demands of driving at the Texas circuit. The Williams driver questioned how the track passed FIA inspections, comparing the conditions in Austin to those experienced by his father in the Dakar Rally.

The condition of the track surface has been a major concern throughout the United States Grand Prix weekend, with Verstappen particularly vocal about the physical strain caused by the bumps.

The Dutchman recently joked that he might need a new spine after racing in Austin, but later explained that his concerns were far from amusing. He revealed that drivers experienced vertical impacts exceeding 9G at the circuit last year, warning that the situation has become unacceptable.

He also admitted that he needs painkillers to manage the back pain caused by the bumps, raising further questions about the long-term physical effects on drivers.

Photo: Race Pictures

Verstappen's complaints have extended beyond the discomfort itself. The Red Bull driver believes the issue has persisted for too long despite repeated warnings from drivers, and he has called for more effective action to improve the circuit.

The four-time world champion also hit back at Circuit of the Americas chairman Bobby Epstein, who defended the condition of the track following resurfacing work and insisted that most of the problematic bumps were no longer present.

Sainz echoes Verstappen's concerns over driver safety

Sainz has now expressed similar concerns, identifying two corners where the uneven surface makes driving particularly uncomfortable. While Verstappen raised concerns about the impact on his back, Sainz highlighted the difficulty of maintaining clear visibility when the driver's head is constantly bouncing inside the cockpit

Speaking to DAZN after qualifying, the Spaniard said: "There are two bumps, at Turn 1 and Turn 19. You can't see anything, your head is bouncing around, and a bit of ibuprofen helps after the session. These bumps should never have passed the FIA inspections, and they know what needs to be changed. It feels more like my father's Dakar than Austin."

The Williams driver's remarks reinforce Verstappen's position, particularly regarding the physical consequences of repeatedly driving over the bumps at high speed.

However, Lewis Hamilton offered a completely different perspective on the Austin bumps. The seven-time world champion insisted that the uneven surface adds character to the circuit and makes driving more challenging, dismissing concerns about the physical strain by pointing out that his own back remains fine despite being 42 years old.