Max Verstappen has once again criticized the new Formula 1 rules, saying he predicted the current problems as far back as 2023
Max Verstappen has reiterated his criticism of the new Formula 1 rules. The world champion explains that the current problems come as no surprise to him. Although many officials recognized what he meant after the season opener in Australia, for Verstappen, this development had been foreseeable for a long time.
The Red Bull driver emphasizes that he had already addressed the issues early on. “That was clear a long time ago,” says Verstappen. “I said back in 2023 that this would happen.” Many officials were aware of the risks, he explains. Nevertheless, some had hoped that the rules would work better in practice than expected.
Drivers aren’t enjoying the racing
Verstappen sees a central problem in what is known as “yo-yo racing,” which results from energy management. However, the extent to which this phenomenon occurs also depends on the specific track.
Nevertheless, the Dutchman believes that many drivers are not enjoying the current situation. “If you ask the drivers, I don’t think anyone is really enjoying this right now,” he says.
Verstappen is particularly critical of the fact that the current system is changing the drivers’ driving style. Those who drive particularly aggressively consume more battery power—and are thus essentially at a disadvantage.
“The drivers who are the fastest usually spend the most time on the gas,” explains Verstappen. However, that is exactly what is currently working against them. “The sooner you get back on the gas and the later you brake, the worse it is for the battery.”
Changes During the Season Are Difficult
According to Verstappen, making short-term changes to the regulations is difficult. Major adjustments could be implemented as early as next season. For this year, the focus is more on finding smaller solutions.“Right now, we just have to try to get back to somewhat normal top speeds,” he says. One option would be to reduce the proportion of electric power.
Technically, such an adjustment would be relatively easy to implement. “You can’t get more power out of the combustion engine,” explains Verstappen. “But of course, you can reduce how much power comes from the battery.” This would allow drivers to drive more naturally again without having to constantly lift off the throttle.
Reaching Consensus in the Paddock Is Difficult
One problem, however, remains: securing the necessary consensus in the paddock. Not all teams and drivers see an urgent need for action. “Some are satisfied with the rules because they’re currently at the front,” says Verstappen.
Nevertheless, he believes that changes would be in the best interest of the sport. “When you saw how the drivers got out of their cars after the race in Australia—to be honest, I didn’t see many happy faces.”