Verstappen calls F1 tweaks a ‘tickle’ and urges bigger changes
Summary
Max Verstappen shrugged off the FIA’s latest rule tweaks as a “tickle,” saying they barely affect qualifying or race pace. He praised new driver‑FIA talks but warned that only bold reforms will keep F1’s sporting purity alive.
Max Verstappen dismissed the FIA’s latest rule tweaks as a “tickle,” saying they barely affect qualifying or race pace. He praised recent driver‑FIA talks but warned that only bold reforms will protect F1’s sporting purity.
Why it matters:
- Small adjustments won’t solve the core issue of delivering flat‑out racing.
- Giving drivers a seat at the table could shape reforms that keep competition authentic amid commercial growth.
- Without substantive change, the sport risks widening the gap between spectacle and sport.
The details:
- The April review added modest tweaks: looser energy‑use limits in qualifying and minor changes to closing‑speed rules.
- Verstappen called the package “just a tickle,” arguing it won’t unlock full‑throttle driving.
- He noted F1’s “complex and political” nature makes consensus hard, limiting the impact of tiny refinements.
- For the first time, drivers, including Verstappen, met with the FIA and CEO Stefano Domenicali, opening a channel for driver input.
What's next:
- Verstappen hopes next year’s review will bring “really big, big changes,” possibly overhauling qualifying and race‑pace regulations.
- Continued driver‑FIA dialogue could become a formal advisory board, ensuring future drivers have a permanent voice.
Original Article :https://f1i.com/news/563437-just-a-tickle-verstappen-unconvinced-by-formula-1s-l...