Formulation 1 CEO and president Stefano Domenicali does not imagine Max Verstappen will take into account strolling away from the collection simply because he does not take pleasure in driving the brand new 2026 automobiles from the beginning.
After the primary few days of driving the Crimson Bull RB22 in winter testing, Verstappen labelled F1’s 2026 equipment, which has a a lot greater hybrid element than its predecessor, as “anti-racing” and “Formulation E on steroids”.
Due to the a lot greater emphasis on power administration drivers are compelled to closely harvest electrical power, even on what must be a flat-out qualifying lap, which he feels is in opposition to the essence of what F1 must be about.
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The Dutchman has lengthy acknowledged that he is not determined to stay in F1 past his present Crimson Bull deal that ends in 2028, particularly if he does not take pleasure in driving the brand new automobiles, and in Bahrain he confirmed that this ruleset “doesn’t assist” his possibilities of staying in F1 for for much longer.
He later nuanced these feedback, including that “not liking one thing doesn’t imply that I don’t wish to do it. As a purist and motorsport fan, I’d choose totally different laws, however that is what it’s. I’ll attempt to get the utmost out of it. I really like working with the group, and with our personal engine. These are the enjoyable components. Would I choose totally different guidelines? Sure, however that is actuality.”
Talking to pick out media, together with Motorsport.com, F1 chief Domenicali does not imagine for a second Verstappen’s F1 future is in jeopardy on account of the wholesale rule modifications.
Max Verstappen, Crimson Bull Racing
Photograph by: Sam Bagnall / Sutton Photos through Getty Photos
“I met all of the drivers. I met Max yesterday,” Domenicali stated. “I assure to you that Max loves and cares about F1 greater than anybody else. He has a method of placing the purpose that he desires to say in a sure method, however we had a really constructive assembly, additionally with the federation and the groups to spotlight what his factors of view are of what he believes must be completed to maintain the driving expertise on the centre with out altering the strategy.”
When pressed on why he was so sure Verstappen would not stroll away from the collection any time quickly, Domenicali replied: “As a result of I’ve an excellent relationship with Max. I do know him very nicely and I spend loads of time with him. That is the rationale. And he loves Formulation 1, there is not any doubt about it.”
Domenicali recommended driver suggestions has already began to development extra constructive after they and their respective groups had extra time to optimise automobile set-ups, power deployment strategies and driving methods, and stated F1 has had a historical past of recent regulation eras introducing totally different driving challenges.
Lando Norris, Lewis Hamilton and George Russell have been amongst drivers stating that the 2026 automobiles being lighter, smaller and extra nimble has not less than made the automobile dealing with itself extra pleasant.
“We do not have to overlook that the evolution of the expertise behind the automobiles requires, in fact, a special method of driving the automobile itself,” the Italian stated. “I actually share the truth that everyone seems to be being very, very constructive.
“By the best way, the feedback of the primary day are already totally different from the feedback of the third day of driving. This may evolve. I am fairly positive that when we will sit down collectively in the midst of the yr or on the finish of the yr, you will notice a special image.”
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