Max Verstappen believes Formula One bosses are listening to drivers’ concerns over the new regulations but again hinted that he might not be around to see any improvements.
The four-time world champion has been the fiercest critic of the sport’s new rules, labelling it as “Mario Kart” with the onus placed on drivers managing their battery.
Small changes have been made ahead of the fourth round of the season in Miami – five weeks after the last race – with a reduction in energy harvesting and a smaller cap on the boost button part of the tweaks.
Verstappen, under contract with Red Bull until 2028, suggested in Japan that he could walk away from the sport.
That remains the case, with Verstappen saying: “Nothing new to be honest. I still have time and I’m taking my time.”
But the Dutchman is pleased that the voice of the drivers is being considered following discussions with F1 chiefs and the governing body the FIA.
“We had some nice meetings with Formula One and the FIA,” Verstappen, who sits ninth in the standings, continued.
“I think that’s probably a starting point, hopefully, for the future.
“Even, you know, in a few years’ time when maybe I’m not here anymore, I really hope that for the future drivers as well, there’s more input to come from the drivers to the organisers in general.
“Because I do think that most of the drivers have a good understanding and a good feel of what is needed to make Formula One a good product, a fun product.”
The small changes made to the rules for this weekend were branded as a “tickle” by Verstappen, who feels much bigger steps will be needed.
Large-scale changes to the regulations are unlikely to happen quickly and Verstappen said he wished drivers had been listened to in forming this set of rules.
“It’s a tickle, but it needs a bit more than a tickle for next year, that’s for sure,” he added.
We’re not actually sure how to explain this one 😅#F1 || #MiamiGP 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/JEoVN0zG8O
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“F1 is a very complex and political sport. But I think everyone has tried their best to at least do something.
“I hope (for) more and more (driver input).
“I think if we would have had that five, maybe even before, like five, six years ago, we probably wouldn’t have been in the state that we are in now.”
Lewis Hamilton had earlier also urged F1 to allow drivers more of a say to improve the product as a whole over the coming seasons.
“All the drivers work together, we do meet but we don’t have a seat at the table. We engage with the FIA and Formula One,” Hamilton said.
“Formula One is often a bit more responsive but we are not stakeholders, we don’t have a seat at the table which I think needs to change.
“We are here to work with them, we don’t want to be slagging our sport. We want the sport to succeed so we need to be working together.
“It is like a broken record, it is small baby steps each time. But I have no doubt that we will get there.”
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