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COTA chief says Turn 1 depression has no easy fix after Verstappen’s concerns

Conceptual AI-generated editorial motorsport illustration; not a documentary photograph or evidence that a pictured event, meeting or transfer occurred. · 2026-10-24GPBeat newsroom · News Made Clear generated illustration

Epstein says COTA discovered the depression only this week and calls it unacceptable, while maintaining that the other bumps raised by Max Verstappen have been addressed.

From the GPBeat newsroomPublished · · 1 min

Max Verstappen’s concerns about COTA’s bumps have drawn a qualified response from circuit chief Bobby Epstein: he says the other bumps the driver identified have been addressed, but calls a depression at Turn 1 unacceptable.

Epstein told ESPN the circuit discovered the depression only this week and would have fixed it if it had been found earlier. He distinguishes it from a bump, which could be flattened; a depression is different, he says, and has no simple solution.

Verstappen had voiced his concerns before the United States Grand Prix weekend, and several drivers supported him. The issue was discussed at Friday evening’s drivers’ meeting after second practice. Epstein nevertheless described COTA overall as being in very good condition.

Sources 01
  1. SOURCECOTA-baas reageert op bezorgdheid VerstappenRacingNews365 Nederland