Max Verstappen insists F1’s rule-makers need to take “action” and did not rule out walking away from the sport after being left unimpressed by the sport’s new cars at the season-opening Australian Grand Prix.
Red Bull’s Verstappen, who experienced a “weird” crash in qualifying yesterday, stormed up the field from 20th on the grid to finish sixth, though did not have the pace late on to pass McLaren’s Lando Norris.
George Russell claimed a dominant victory as Mercedes claimed a one-two finish, with Kimi Antonelli in second and Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc in third.
Russell and Leclerc were involved in some thrilling early exchanges, swapping the lead numerous times, but other drivers have complained that the racing feels “artificial” with this year’s new regulations, which include “overtake mode”, “boost mode” and the engine maxing out on power at the end of straights.
Verstappen previously described the energy management aspect as “Formula E on steroids” and asked how he found the new rules in Melbourne, he said: “Yeah, chaos. I honestly don’t really find the right words for it.
“I think for me, of course, I passed them [other cars] regardless, because we are two seconds faster.
“But what they [the FIA] should worry about is the rules. Just focus on that. They ask questions, and I give my opinion of what I would like to see what I think is better for the sport, because I do care about it. I do love racing, and I want it to be better than this, right?
“So let’s see what we can do. I hope that we’ve been doing this year, maybe we can come up with some different solutions so it becomes more enjoyable.”
Asked if he really was considering walking away from the sport, he replied: “I love racing but it can only take so much, right?
“They’re willing to listen, FIA and F1, I just hope, of course, that there is some action. Because I’m not the only one saying it, a lot of people are speaking the same, drivers, fans, we just want the best for the sport, we’re critical for a reason.
“We want it to be Formula One, Formula One on steroids. Today of course, that was not the case.
“I’m very negative about the rules but I do feel really proud of the team on the engine side, they’ve done an amazing job, very happy to be working with them.
“I just wish I enjoyed a little bit more driving-wise.”
F1 next heads to China for the first sprint weekend of the season.
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