Max Verstappen has once more expressed his discontent with the new Formula One regulations. Amid a clamour of unhappiness from many drivers, the four-time champion also reiterated his warning that he would leave the sport if he ceased to enjoy it, which is clearly the case at the moment.
After the first round of the season in Melbourne last week, Verstappen showed disdain for how the new rules had affected driving, and speaking before this weekend’s Chinese Grand Prix, he belittled the new formula with another reference to the videogame Mario Kart, which has swiftly become a go-to reference across the grid. A drivers’ meeting to discuss the new regulations, originally planned for after the Japanese Grand Prix at the end of the month, has now been brought forward to take place after this weekend’s race, the Guardian understands.
When asked if time on the simulator could improve the energy management techniques that are now a crucial element of racing, Verstappen quipped: “I found a cheaper solution. I swapped the simulator for my Nintendo Switch and practising a bit of Mario Kart actually. Finding the mushrooms is going quite well. The blue shell is a bit more difficult but I’m working on it. The rocket? Still not there.”
The energy management is required by drivers because the new engines have an almost 50-50 split in power delivered by internal combustion and electrical energy. Maintaining and deploying the electrical energy requires techniques preventing drivers from attacking flat-out, slowing to harvest power and cornering at the optimum speed for recharging rather than on the limit of what might be possible according to grip and conditions. All of which Verstappen had previously derided as “anti-racing”.
Verstappen finished sixth for Red Bull from a start in 20th at Albert Park behind a one-two win for the dominant Mercedes pair of George Russell and Kimi Antonelli. Mercedes are expected to repeat that form this weekend in Shanghai. Red Bull have some catching up to do but there is no suggestion Verstappen is unhappy simply because his team are not leading.
Since winning his four championships, the Dutchman – one of F1’s biggest draws in terms of interest and popularity – has been clear he would continue in the sport only while he still enjoyed it and has always also been open about pursuing other alternatives that he likes, notably in endurance racing.
He has already confirmed he will take part in this year’s Nürburgring 24 Hours in a Mercedes, describing the race as a bucket-list event, and has stated how much he enjoys competing away from F1.
“I don’t want to leave really. I wish I had a bit more fun for sure, but I’m also doing other stuff that is a lot of fun,” he said. “I get to race the [Nürburgring] Nordschleife. [I] hope in the coming years I can do Spa, hopefully Le Mans. So, I’m combining stuff to find other stuff that I find really fun as well.
“It’s a bit conflicting because I don’t really enjoy driving the car, but I do enjoy working with all the people in the team and from the engine department as well.”
When Verstappen expressed his unhappiness with the rules before the season,, the F1 chief executive Stefano Domenicali said he had spoken to the Dutchman and was assured he would not leave the sport but the 28-year-old’s dismissive attitude toward the new formula has not diminished since then.
In China Verstappen said there were discussions with the FIA and F1 which he hoped would lead to improvements. “I don’t want to leave, but I also hope of course that it gets better,” he said. “I’ve had discussions with F1 and the FIA and I think we are working towards something, and hopefully that will improve everything.”
Such has been the disquiet it is believed that immediate adjustments could be considered after the meeting in Shanghai.
