(Motorsport-Total.com) – According to Max Verstappen, Formula 1 must move in the future towards an 80-20 split between combustion engine and electric component. For the upcoming season, a compromise solution is necessary to at least address the biggest problems of the current regulations.
In an interview with our sister portal Autosport, the four-time world champion emphasizes that he was not impressed by the recent changes for the Miami Grand Prix either: “No, the rule changes this weekend don’t make much difference for driving.”
Meanwhile, Red Bull was able to move closer to Mercedes thanks to a variety of updates. Nevertheless, Verstappen explains: “My criticism of the regulations remains the same.”
“It doesn’t matter if I am in second or eighth place. For me, the car feels a bit more comfortable, but the rules need to be improved.”
A main problem for the drivers is that the classic instinct to drive through a corner as fast as possible is often not rewarded under the current regulations. This phenomenon also appears after the changes for Miami, as Lando Norris explained after qualifying.
“That feels really strange,” is Verstappen’s agreeing response. “There are still situations where you go full throttle through a corner only to lose time on the following straight. We need to move away from that.”
No solution for 2026?
This year, however, Verstappen does not expect a rescue for the regulations anymore. “On some tracks, that will be especially difficult,” is his assessment. “But hopefully, we can make a bigger step next year. More power for the combustion engine and less battery power will solve many problems.”
“We just have to move away from the 55-45 split. We have to do it at least like the last hybrid rules. If you use 75 or 80 percent combustion engine, that would help a lot.”
Nevertheless, Verstappen remains realistic and emphasizes: “That will take a while.”
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In addition, the Red Bull driver praises the chassis and notes that especially the 55-45 split represents the main problem.
Since the 2026 season, Formula 1 has been trying to bring the output of the combustion engine and the performance of the battery to an almost equal level. One goal was to attract new manufacturers like Audi or Cadillac to Formula 1 with these regulations.
Adjustments for 2027
Further rule changes are expected in 2027. While the combustion engine is supposed to start with 50kW more, the power of the electric motor would decrease by 50kW. For this, among other things, the fuel flow had to be adjusted or larger tanks built, which Verstappen does not see as a big obstacle:
“These tank problems are easy to solve. It’s more about engine components, but that’s always a political story because everyone always believes they have advantages or disadvantages somewhere.”
In summary, Verstappen sums up his vision for the future as follows: “I just think about how to improve the sport. You shouldn’t go full throttle through a corner – where you gain time – only to be punished on the next straight. We have to eliminate that.”
