Max Verstappen reveals extent of spinal damage after years of racing in F1

Four-time Formula One world champion Max Verstappen has revealed the extent of the physical demands of racing at the highest level, saying medical tests revealed damage to his lower spine after years of racing.

The Red Bull driver raised the issue ahead of the United States Grand Prix at the Circuit of the Americas in Austin, where the bumpy track surface became a major concern for drivers. Verstappen explained that the forces generated by modern F1 cars, especially when they hit rough sections of the circuit, can put enormous pressure on the body.

The Dutchman also warned that continuing to accept such conditions could lead to drivers dealing with more serious physical consequences in the future.

CONCERNS OF SPINE DAMAGE

Verstappen highlighted the difference between the forces they experience when cornering and the vertical impacts drivers endure when their cars hit bumps on the track.

While cornering forces can reach around five to six times the force of gravity, the Dutchman said some of the bumps in Austin subjected his spine to vertical loads in excess of nine times the force of gravity.

“Last year, for example, you pull around 5-6G in a corner. But I had some bumps, like a vertical load that was over 9G on my spine, which I can say is really not fun,” Verstappen said.

He added that the physical effects become harder to ignore with age, especially when medical examinations begin to reveal damage accumulated over years of competition.

“From the checks I’ve had on the spine, I can tell you the bottom end doesn’t look that great,” he said.

Verstappen explained that the cars can hit the track particularly hard under braking, as changes in downforce and ground clearance make them more vulnerable to heavy impacts on uneven surfaces.

AUSTIN TRACK PROBLEM

The Circuit of the Americas has long been known for its challenging surface, where drivers struggle to avoid bumps in multiple braking zones. Verstappen said the problem was not limited to normal wear and tear and pointed to ground movement under the circuit as a factor making some of the irregularities difficult to predict.

The Red Bull driver expressed his appreciation for the Austin venue and its layout, but argued that the condition of the track needed to be addressed more thoroughly.

He suggested that cosmetic fixes would not be enough if the underlying cause was responsible for the problem, even if a more comprehensive solution required considerable time and money.

Verstappen’s concerns also reflect a wider debate in F1 about the physical demands placed on drivers by modern machinery.

DRIVERS RAISE THE ALARM

The introduction of ground effect regulations in 2022 has led teams to run their cars close to the ground, often with stiff suspension settings. The resulting bouncing, known as porcupines, led to driver complaints of discomfort and back pain, which eventually led to intervention by the FIA.

Although F1 introduced a new set of technical regulations in 2026, Verstappen believes the physical consequences of previous years have not gone away.

“I know it’s part of racing. I know it can be part of the sport, but it’s also more damage to the cars that we’ve had in the last few years,” he said.

Verstappen warned drivers could face greater long-term consequences if the sport continues to deem such conditions acceptable.

McLaren’s Lando Norris also raised concerns about the Austin circuit, revealing that the bumps can cause headaches and push drivers’ heads against their headrests. Meanwhile, Mercedes driver George Russell highlighted the need for a more consistent track surface.

For Verstappen, the issue goes beyond discomfort during the race weekend. His medical findings underlined the potential long-term costs of the sport and reinforced his argument that driver safety must remain a priority as Formula 1 continues to evolve.

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