Max Verstappen is concerned about energy management and names the tracks where he expects particularly big problems.
Will Formula 1 drivers have to brake in the middle of the long straights in Las Vegas to generate energy? Max Verstappen announced this jokingly, but with a hint of concern. The Dutchman caused a stir in Bahrain with his criticism of the new Formula 1 rules and now says which tracks he thinks will have the biggest problems with energy management.
Because that’s a big issue these days. Drivers can no longer drive all the straights at full throttle because they run out of energy. Instead, they have to lift off the throttle before the braking zones to recover energy—this is even supposed to play a role in qualifying. Lewis Hamilton said that he had to lift and coast for around 600 meters in Barcelona. “You’re very inefficient in terms of energy on the straights,” Verstappen describes the problem. In Bahrain, it’s still manageable at the moment, “but we’re also coming to tracks where it’s going to be a real disaster.”
Verstappen cites Melbourne and Monza as examples, among others, and Spa will also be “bad,” according to the Red Bull driver.
Basically, it’s mainly long straights that pose a challenge. But while the thin air in Mexico might still be helpful there, Verstappen is particularly concerned about Las Vegas, where the race covers almost two kilometers of the famous Strip. “Maybe we’ll have to brake halfway down the straight because we’ve run out of energy,” he says with a smile. “I’m laughing about it now, but it really doesn’t make any sense.”
When asked if he had discussed the issue with Formula 1 and the FIA, Verstappen replied: “I think maybe they didn’t quite realize how bad it would be. But we’ll see. As I said, this track is still doable. When we get to Melbourne, we’ll really see how much you have to ease off the throttle on the straights.”
Other drivers also expressed concern about the extent of energy management with the new cars, albeit mostly in a milder form than Verstappen. Sergio Perez described it as “not ideal,” while Liam Lawson was speechless when asked how much fun it was to drive the new car.
Lando Norris, on the other hand, called it “a good, fun challenge” — although the McLaren driver also denied having done any form of lift-and-coast.
