Max Verstappen finds himself increasingly isolated in his fight against the current direction of Formula 1. After the Chinese GP, the Dutchman was emphatic: the rules and the new generation cars are still bad, harming what he considers to be real racing.
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Verstappen stated that the way F1 is currently being contested is ‘absurd’, and warned that without adjustments, the category is at risk. He believes that small changes can be made in the short term, but that structurally, the cars are not fit for competitive racing.
In the first months of the season, the Dutch driver still had the support of other competitors, who also mainly criticized the qualifying format. However, in Shanghai, it became clear that most drivers and teams received guidance to speak more positively, aiming to make the sport more attractive to the public. Verstappen, for his part, maintained his critical position, even knowing that this would leave him isolated.
Toto Wolff, Mercedes team principal, showed sympathy for the Dutchman, but pointed out that Verstappen’s problem was more linked to the Red Bull Racing car, considered difficult to drive. Jonathan Wheatley, head of Racing Bulls, also pointed out that the race in Shanghai had many overtakes and was fun, contradicting the negative view of the four-time champion.
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Meanwhile, Stefano Domenicali, CEO of Formula 1, declared he was satisfied with the reception of the new rules, highlighting that fans are enthusiastic about the current format. However, Verstappen remains convinced that F1 is becoming a sport of energy management and tactics, far from the pure attack racing that he values.
The future of the category could be defined by the path it chooses to follow, because if it continues to prioritize energy management, leaving aside direct competition, there is the possibility of losing Verstappen, regardless of whether or not he has a winning car.
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