Max Verstappen fears that it will be ‘fairly difficult’ to implement fundamental adjustments in the short term to drastically increase the entertainment value of Formula 1. “Hopefully we can achieve some bigger changes next season,” says the four-time world champion from Red Bull in Shanghai, on the eve of the Chinese GP. However, he hopes for some quick improvements that can already somewhat alleviate the suffering of drivers and fans in a few races.
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Formula 1 received heavy criticism after the opening race of the season in Melbourne last Sunday regarding the impact of the new rules, which in the eyes of many detract from pure racing. Although there were more overtakes during the race, no value should be attached to that, emphasizes Verstappen, who was the first to warn about the then-proposed changes three years ago.
“More overtakes is not automatically better. You have to look at how they come about. In the beginning, some had very little battery power, others had more. You can always make something of it, but if you ask the drivers, I think nobody really liked it,” Max Verstappen tells a select group of Dutch journalists.
In recent days, he has had intensive contact with representatives of the FIA to discuss options that can help alleviate the suffering in the short term. “At the FIA and Formula 1, they naturally talk to all teams, but most of the input came from me. What I have indicated is better for everyone. It just makes the racing better. So it’s not what I want, it’s just what is better for the sport.”
‘Technically easy to adjust’
“For this season, you have to try to achieve somewhat normal top speeds,” Verstappen believes. “If that has to be with less battery power, then so be it, I think. And we have to get away from lifting in qualifying, which of course makes no sense, because you are actually punishing the one who wants to go the fastest.”
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He continues: “If you look at the data from recent years: on average, the fastest drivers are always on the throttle the most over one lap, and now that works against you because you consume more battery as a result. So the later you brake, the earlier you get on the gas, the worse it actually is for the battery. That has such a big influence that it just doesn’t work well at the moment. As a driver, you can make less of a difference. Technically, it’s all quite easy to adjust. You can’t get more power out of the internal combustion engine, but you can put less power into the battery, and that is easy to realize.”
‘Few happy faces’
Verstappen states that several options are now on the table at the FIA. He would rather not say too much more about it. “That is sensitive.”
The question is whether all options will actually make it, Verstappen also knows, as Mercedes in particular will not be too keen on overhauling too much. After all, Mercedes was supreme in Melbourne. George Russell won the race, ahead of teammate Kimi Antonelli.
“Whether it will pass? We’ll see. Not everyone has to want to cooperate, but almost everyone does. Some are driving at the front and would rather keep it that way. On the one hand, I can understand that to a certain extent, but in my view, you have to look primarily at the interest of the sport. And last Sunday in Melbourne, I certainly saw few people getting out of the car happy,” said Max Verstappen.
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Read everything about the Chinese GP here
