Max Verstappen says planned changes to Formula One engine rules next year will bring racing “almost back to normal” and hinted he will stay in the sport as a result.
Verstappen said after the Japanese Grand Prix that he was considering his future because he believed this year’s new engines were having a damaging impact on the experience of driving an F1 car.
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F1 bosses are working on a series of changes that would alter the nominal 50-50 split between combustion engines and electricity to reduce the need for energy management, which dominates this year’s race.
“It makes the product better, so it means I’m happier. That’s what I want. To be able to continue and perform well,” Verstappen said.
“For me, I’m happy where I am right now. I see the team is really improving. That’s very exciting as well.”
“I’ve always wanted to continue anyway. But I always want to see changes. I think the changes that are coming now are definitely very positive. Or, at least, I would say almost back to normal – so that’s good.”
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F1, the FIA governing body and engine manufacturers are discussing rule changes.
They agreed in principle to increase the power from the internal combustion engine and reduce the electricity by the same amount.
Asked whether a resolution would increase his chances of staying in F1 next year, Verstappen said: “Yes, of course. I just want a good product in Formula 1. It would definitely improve the product.”
“Hopefully that will happen next year. It’s already helped a lot because I always say it doesn’t matter if I have a good car or not. It’s just the product. I think the product will improve like this, so I think the enjoyment will naturally improve as well.”
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World champion Lando Norris said: “This is a great direction that we all welcome as drivers. We all want it.
“Maybe it’s not the perfect world we all want, but I would say it’s definitely moving in the right direction.”
His teammate Oscar Piastri said: “It’s a step in the right direction. But it’s not set in stone.”
Mercedes driver George Russell agreed the changes “will be positive” as they will reduce the impact currently seen where cars lose speed at the end of straights as the engine switches to charging mode and loses nearly half its power.
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“When you’re driving down a straightaway, the engine shouldn’t lose power and you think it’s right and it’s the right thing to do,” Russell said. “I don’t know how it’s going to affect racing.”
The rule change will most likely be achieved by increasing fuel flow to internal combustion engines, although this will pose challenges as it will affect engine design and fuel tank size.
But no deal has been reached and further talks aimed at reaching a compromise will take place in Montreal this weekend.
The key issues are time and cost. Engine development takes time, and manufacturers are already pressing to apply the changes in time for next year.
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Some manufacturers want perks in the engine budget cap so they can cover development costs.
Verstappen arrived in Canada after a strong performance in last weekend’s Nürburgring 24 Hours. His car was expected to win when a driveshaft failure occurred with three hours left in the race.
“I had a few days to process it,” he said. “Overall it was a great week. I enjoyed it very much. Of course it will be my first big endurance race. Everything went well and our car was in good shape. I thought we executed really well.
“Unfortunately, at the end of the day, this is still a mechanical sport. Our defeat certainly cost us the victory because up until that point we had everything under control.”
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“But the whole experience of driving in wet, changing conditions, and sharing that with my teammates…that’s something I really enjoy.
“This is something we’ve been preparing for a long time. We managed to put it all together that weekend. It was really cool and something I want to continue.”
Verstappen added that he would return to racing when his F1 commitments allowed. “I want to win it,” he said. “So I want to go back.”
