‚I know Max, he loves F1 and won’t quit‘

Components 1 CEO and president Stefano Domenicali does not consider Max Verstappen will take into account strolling away from the sequence simply because he does not get pleasure from driving the brand new 2026 automobiles from the beginning.

After the primary few days of driving the Purple Bull RB22 in winter testing, Verstappen labelled F1’s 2026 equipment, which has a a lot larger hybrid element than its predecessor, as „anti-racing“ and „Components E on steroids“.

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Due to the a lot larger emphasis on vitality administration drivers are compelled to closely harvest electrical vitality, even on what needs to be a flat-out qualifying lap, which he feels is towards the essence of what F1 needs to be about.

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The Dutchman has lengthy acknowledged that he isn’t determined to stay in F1 past his present Purple Bull deal that ends in 2028, particularly if he does not get pleasure from driving the brand new automobiles, and in Bahrain he confirmed that this ruleset “doesn’t assist” his probabilities of staying in F1 for for much longer.

He later nuanced these feedback, including that „not liking one thing doesn’t imply that I don’t need to do it. As a purist and motorsport fan, I’d desire totally different rules, however that is what it’s. I’ll attempt to get the utmost out of it. I like working with the crew, and with our personal engine. These are the enjoyable components. Would I desire totally different guidelines? Sure, however that is actuality.“

Talking to pick out media, together with Motorsport.com, F1 chief Domenicali does not consider for a second Verstappen’s F1 future is in jeopardy because of the wholesale rule modifications.

Max Verstappen, Purple Bull Racing

Picture by: Sam Bagnall / Sutton Photos through Getty Photos

„I met all of the drivers. I met Max yesterday,“ Domenicali stated. „I assure to you that Max loves and cares about F1 greater than anybody else. He has a means of placing the purpose that he needs to say in a sure means, however we had a really constructive assembly, additionally with the federation and the groups to focus on what his factors of view are of what he believes must be performed to maintain the driving expertise on the centre with out altering the strategy.“

When pressed on why he was so sure Verstappen would not stroll away from the sequence any time quickly, Domenicali replied: „As a result of I’ve an excellent relationship with Max. I do know him very properly and I spend lots of time with him. That is the explanation. And he loves Components 1, there is not any doubt about it.“

Domenicali prompt driver suggestions has already began to development extra optimistic after they and their respective groups had extra time to optimise automobile set-ups, vitality deployment strategies and driving methods, and stated F1 has had a historical past of latest regulation eras introducing totally different driving challenges.

Lando Norris, Lewis Hamilton and George Russell have been amongst drivers stating that the 2026 automobiles being lighter, smaller and extra nimble has a minimum of made the automobile dealing with itself extra fulfilling.

„We do not have to overlook that the evolution of the know-how behind the automobiles requires, in fact, a unique means of driving the automobile itself,“ the Italian stated. „I actually share the truth that everyone seems to be being very, very constructive.

„By the best way, the feedback of the primary day are already totally different from the feedback of the third day of driving. It will evolve. I am fairly certain that when we will sit down collectively in the midst of the yr or on the finish of the yr, you will notice a unique image.“