Max Verstappen, current two-time Formula 1 world champion, expressed his objections to the format changes that the ‘Great Circus’ has experienced in recent years and threatened to leave the highest category of motorsport if new modifications “that do not contribute” are proposed. .
The Dutch driver is not comfortable with the so-called ‘Sprint race’, a measure that seeks the arrival of a new public to F1 and make the run-up to each test more entertaining.
One of the modifications in the evaluation process is that there are two classifications. The first would take place on Friday and, instead of defining the starting order for Saturday, it would do the same for Sunday, while the second would take place on the same Saturday to determine the places for the Sprint on the same day and the free practice that day.
The ‘anchor’ man of the Red Bull team said that sprint racing does not fit into the DNA of Formula 1. “Even if you change the format, I do not find that it is the DNA of Formula 1 to do this type of sprint racing. In F1 it’s all about getting the most out of qualifying and then having an amazing Sunday, good long races,” he said.
“I’m not enjoying that. And for me, a sprint race is about surviving, it’s not about running,” she added.
Given this, Verstappen would be thinking about his retirement if the changes in the formats become something frequent and more so if they are some that do not contribute at all, as he sees it.
“I think that’s much better for emotion. Naturally, I hope there won’t be too many changes; Otherwise I won’t I won’t be here for long”, he indicated in dialogue with SporTV of Portugal.
April 30 will be the fourth date of the 2023 F1 World Cup, in Azerbaijan. There, the return of Sprint races will be marked, a modality started in 2021 with three editions throughout the calendar, but which will double this year.
Currently, Max Verstappen sits in first place in the Drivers’ Championship with 69 points, with two victories so far this season and has a 15-point lead over second place, his teammate, the Mexican Sergio’ Checo’ Perez.