Max Verstappen calls new F1 regulations ‘not F1’ and ‘anti-racing’

Asked whether these new rules might hasten his departure from the sport, or whether winning races in this formula might get him to change his mind, the 28-year-old gave a response which will concern the sport’s rulers.

“Winning, for me… that doesn’t matter. It needs to be fun to drive as well, I think, at this stage of my career.

“I mean, I am of course also exploring other things outside of Formula One to have fun at. Yeah I mean, I know that we’re stuck with this regulation for quite a while. So, yeah. Let’s see.”

Organisers of the Nürburgring 24hrs (May 16–17) have already tweaked their calendar to allow Verstappen to take part in one of the early season Nürburgring Endurance Series (NLS) rounds, bringing NLS2 forward by a week to avoid a clash with the Japanese Grand Prix.

Verstappen said he appreciated the effort and hoped to drive in both that round and the main event in May, most likely at the wheel of a Winward Racing Mercedes-AMG.

“I mean, looking at it now, at least maybe you can drive flat out there, you know? Without looking after my battery.

“I mean, I want to do it. We are working on it to make it happen, but I cannot confirm it yet. But it’s great, of course, from the organisers, that they change the date [of NLS2] because I think if I do it, of course, I need one race in preparation compared to guys that have been doing it for a while and have a bit more experience.”

On Wednesday, seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton described the new regulations as “ridiculously complex”, adding you would “need a degree to fully understand it all”.

Going back to F1’s new rules, Verstappen concluded: “Probably people will not be happy with me saying this right now, but I am outspoken and why am I not allowed to say what I think of my race car? I can’t help that. I mean, I didn’t write the regulations.”