Max Verstappen fires back at COTA boss: ‘He can drive my car, wouldn’t be able to walk’

Max Verstappen responds to COTA boss over the state of the F1 US Grand Prix track.

By Lewis Larkam · Crash

Published: Sunday, 25 October 2026 at 6:02 PM

Key Things to Know

Max Verstappen hit back at COTA boss Bobby Epstein, inviting him to drive his car over the bumpy circuit.
Verstappen revealed he is taking painkillers to manage back issues caused by the severe track surface.
Epstein claimed most bumps were fixed, acknowledging only an unexpected bump at Turn 1.

The Story in 60 Seconds

Max Verstappen responded strongly to Circuit of the Americas boss Bobby Epstein after Epstein dismissed the Red Bull driver's complaints about track bumps at the United States Grand Prix. Verstappen invited Epstein to drive his Formula 1 car for five laps, claiming the executive would not be able to walk afterward.

Verstappen stated he had to take painkillers due to back issues caused by the circuit's rough surface, highlighting severe bumps between Turns 4 and 5 in addition to Turn 1. Despite the discomfort, the four-time world champion qualified second on the grid for Sunday's race, lining up alongside polesitter Andrea Kimi Antonelli.

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Max Verstappen fires back at COTA boss: ‘He can drive my car, wouldn’t be able to walk’

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