The incredible interview with Max Verstappen who, in the 2023 Austrian GP press conference, warned everyone about the 2026 regulations.
The new era of regulations has not been appreciated by several drivers and teams, but certainly, the majority of the criticism has come from Max Verstappen, 4-time World Champion, who did not digest the new cars at all. It was precisely the Dutchman, at Red Bull’s home GP in Spielberg, who had warned the circus of doubts regarding the new generation of cars.
A scenario described by the then two-time World Champion that has turned into reality, and the International Automobile Federation, after only 3 races, is trying to intervene in the sporting regulations, also for safety reasons. The accident between Colapinto and Bearman, in fact, ignited a topic beyond the track itself. The drivers, in addition to being dissatisfied with the racing itself, highlighted the theme of safety on track.
Verstappen’s 2023 interview in Austria
“2026 is not that far away and at the moment it doesn’t look like a great situation to me, from the data I see – Verstappen began – and the rumors I hear. I’m not very happy at the moment. The problem is that it looks like it will be an ‘iced’ competition: whoever has the strongest engine will have massive benefits, but I don’t think that is the intent of Formula 1. In this way, a development war will start and it will become very expensive even just to find a few horsepower here and there. I think it should be the exact opposite. “
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Max then continued: “Furthermore, the cars will have much less drag, so it will be even harder to overtake on the straight. Then there will be active aerodynamics, which you won’t be able to control, but the system will do it. It will be very strange to use it [active aerodynamics]because I’m used to managing it myself. When you are behind someone, maybe you need more front or more rear… if the system starts to control all that, I don’t think it’s the right direction to follow. The weight will also increase.
I think we should still think about it carefully. If you are on the straight at Monza and 400 or 500 meters before the corner you have to downshift because it’s faster, I don’t think that’s the right thing.”
Photo: Oracle Red Bull Racing
