Max Verstappen receives support from GPDA chairman Alexander Wurz. The former driver says he fully understands the Dutchman’s frustrations regarding the new F1 regulations. He emphasizes that Verstappen’s criticism stems from a strong passion for Formula 1. Therefore, the four-time world champion would not just retire, Wurz believes. In the aftermath of the Japanese GP, there was much speculation about whether Verstappen will actually step away after 2026.
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In a guest appearance on the Lift and Roast podcast, Wurz explained that Verstappen’s comments should be taken very seriously. Not out of fear that the Red Bull driver will leave after this year, but because his criticism is completely justified, the Austrian emphasized. “I understand Max (Verstappen, ed.) one hundred percent,” said Wurz. “We all need to listen to him. I am also on his side.” In the same conversation, he revealed that the WhatsApp group for F1 drivers, which he himself created about ten years ago, has exploded in recent weeks; never before have the drivers shared so many ideas about the state of Formula 1 and how the regulations can be improved.
‘Verstappen is one of our best members’
Verstappen in particular is exceptionally vocal, according to Wurz. “He is one of our best members,” said the GPDA chairman. “It is clear that he wants to stay, because he simply cares an incredible amount about this sport.” Wurz himself also hopes that changes will be implemented soon. He calls battles like the one between Gasly and Verstappen in Suzuka ‘laughable’. “Pierre Gasly overtook Verstappen, then he took it back, and so it went back and forth. They drove within tenths of each other for laps. When Gasly overtook Verstappen again, he waved to him, almost as if the queen were waving from a balcony,” he joked.
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According to Wurz, this way of racing stems from energy management, something Red Bull specifically struggles with. “If you look at how that car handles energy and how they deploy it, they are lagging behind Ferrari and Mercedes in that regard. That obviously doesn’t help Max’s mood,” he admitted. “At the same time, the margins will likely get smaller during the season, also because teams can learn from each other. That doesn’t change the fact that those strange overtaking maneuvers are inherent to these regulations,” he stated sharply. “As long as qualifying gets better and we don’t see any more of those dangerous things in the race like Oliver Bearman’s crash, then peace will likely return. But in the end, you can never please everyone,” Wurz concluded. “Some drivers will always have trouble with certain cars.”
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