Piastri on Verstappen's F1 Future

McLaren's Oscar Piastri has voiced his concern that Max Verstappen leaving Formula 1 over the 2026 regulations would be "a big loss" and "not a great look" for the sport. Piastri, who considers the reigning champion the current benchmark, made the comments as the FIA announced tweaks to the contentious new rules ahead of the Miami Grand Prix, following widespread criticism from drivers about complexity and safety.

Why it matters:

Verstappen's potential departure would represent a seismic shift for F1, removing its dominant star and most vocal critic at a time of significant technical transition. As a three-time champion and the sport's biggest draw, his exit would undermine the credibility of the new rules and deprive the grid of its acknowledged reference point for performance, challenging the narrative that F1 is moving in the right direction.

The details:

• Piastri's Stance: The McLaren driver explicitly stated it would be "a shame for the sport to lose Max," emphasizing the desire among drivers to compete against the best. He labeled Verstappen as "the benchmark" over the last five to six years.
• Verstappen's Criticism: The Red Bull driver has been the most outspoken critic, previously calling the 2026 rules "fundamentally wrong" and likening the projected racing to "Formula E on steroids." In Japan, he admitted his dissatisfaction could lead him to reconsider his F1 future.
• Regulation Tweaks: The FIA's announced changes for Miami aim to reduce energy management demands and address safety concerns, particularly at race starts and in wet conditions. This is a direct response to driver feedback.
• Safety Concerns: Piastri's comments follow a dangerous, high-G accident for Oliver Bearman in Japan. Piastri himself reported a "pretty close call" in practice, citing massive speed differentials between cars and calling for swift safety reviews.

What's next:

The immediate focus is on whether the Miami-spec rule adjustments will meaningfully address driver concerns about drivability and safety. Verstappen's continued participation likely hinges on seeing tangible improvements. If the changes are perceived as insufficient, pressure will mount on the FIA for further revisions, and the prospect of the sport's leading driver walking away will become a central crisis for F1's leadership.