When the United States Grand Prix came up during the Formula 1 press conference in Singapore, Max Verstappen immediately joked that he would have to order a new spine. The four-time world champion had followed the World Endurance Championship round in Texas – The Lone Star Le Mans, held over the weekend of 6 September – and said he was shocked by the condition of the circuit.
Although Verstappen was still able to laugh about it with Kimi Antonelli at the time, he made it clear during the media day in Austin that he is genuinely concerned about the “unacceptable” track conditions.