Max Verstappen: “Very positive” F1 engine changes…

A few days after his endurance racing adventures on the Nordschleife, Max Verstappen has returned to the Formula 1 paddock in Montreal. The Dutchman has not hidden his criticism of the current technical regulations, but developments made since the Miami Grand Prix have, in his view, moved the series in the right direction.

The FIA has announced that there is an agreement in principle to make the internal combustion engine more prominent again by shifting the balance between ICE and electric power to a 60-40 split.

Verstappen has always said he hoped for “bigger changes” heading into 2027, and this aligns with what he had in mind.

"I mean, it's definitely heading into a very positive direction,” the Dutchman said when asked my Motorsport.com. “I think it's like the minimum I was hoping for, and I think it's really nice that that's what they want to do. That's definitely what I think also the sport needs.”

Asked whether it helps convince him to remain in F1 next year, the four-time world champion continued:

"Yes, definitely. I mean, I just want a good product in Formula 1 and that will for sure improve the product."

Max Verstappen spent his two-week break racing in GT3 (Photo by: Marc Fleury)

Verstappen does not yet want to give a definitive yes-or-no answer as to whether he will be on the F1 grid next season, but he did stress that the likelihood of staying has increased significantly because of these changes.

"I mean, like I said before, it will make the product better. So that means that I'm happier and that's what I want to be able to continue in Formula 1. Yes or no? Well, it doesn't matter.

"I mean, for me, I'm happy where I'm at. I see the team really progressing and that's also very exciting to see. And for me, I always wanted to continue anyway, but I always wanted to see change."

Political interests must not stand in the way of change

Formally, the 2027 changes have not yet been fully agreed. There is an agreement in principle, and an initial idea of how the 60-40 balance should be achieved – on the one hand by looking at fuel flow and on the other by reducing the share of electric power by 50 kilowatts.

However, discussions over the technical details are still taking place behind the scenes, and those matters are politically sensitive. Some manufacturers are advocating solutions that remain closer to what they already have, as that could potentially provide a competitive advantage.

Verstappen stressed that these political considerations should not prevent the changes from happening.

Max Verstappen has made no secret of his dislike for the 2026 regulations (Photo by: Chris Graythen / Getty Images)

"That's why we have to wait and see until it's fully confirmed,” he added. “But that definitely needs to happen."

Regardless of the exact technical implementation, Verstappen sees it as a positive development that the FIA and F1 are now listening to the drivers, including to his own suggestions.

"I mean, the more you also achieve in the sport, I think, naturally, you have a bit more of a voice. But, yeah, of course, I'm very happy,” he said.

"In the beginning of the year, I had a few meetings with FOM and then, of course, with other drivers, with the FIA as well. It's just great that they're open-minded and they listen to the drivers. Because I think we speak, or at least most of us speak, in the interest of the sport.

"We just want to make it a better product and that's why you come up with recommendations. And I think what they are trying to do is definitely the right thing."