Verstappen added: “I think they are willing to listen, the FIA and F1, I just hope, of course, that there will be some action. I’m not the only one saying it, I think many are saying it, whether they are drivers or fans, we just want the best for the sport. We are not critics just for being critics, we are critics for a reason, we want it to be F1, proper F1 with steroids, today, of course, that was not the case again.” When asked if F1 should be worried about his possible departure, he added: “I think what they should be worried about are the rules, just focus on that. They ask questions and I give my opinions on what I would like to see and what I think is best for the sport because I care, I love racing and I want this to improve, right? Let’s see what we can do. I hope that even during this year we can find some different solutions to make it more enjoyable for everyone.” With the next major change in engine regulations scheduled for the end of 2030, it remains to be seen whether a solution can be found to the fundamental limitations of the new regulations in the intervening five years. Albert Park, home to this weekend’s Australian Grand Prix, is among the circuits with the most energy limitations on the calendar, which fully exposed the weaknesses of the new rules in qualifying and contributed to the battery deployment being the defining factor for overtaking in the race. F1 and FIA have said they are open to modifying the regulations this year if necessary, but Verstappen believes a short or medium-term solution is unlikely. “It’s not about small tweaks, for sure,” he concluded.As I said, I love racing, but we can only take so much, right?
Max Verstappen
