The 2026 Formula 1 regulations were supposed to usher in a new era of sustainable, hyper-efficient racing, with a massive 50/50 power split between the internal combustion engine and the electrical battery. But if you ask the grid's most ruthless competitor, the championship is heading in the exact wrong direction.
During an appearance on the P1 with Matt & Tommy podcast, Max Verstappen was asked what single rule he would change in Formula 1. Without skipping a beat, the four-time World Champion delivered an answer that will have motorsport purists cheering: ditch the heavy, complicated V6 turbo hybrids and bring back the naturally aspirated V8s.
Formula 1 hasn't heard the deafening roar of a V8 engine since the end of the 2013 season, right before the controversial hybrid era began. Since then, the cars have become incredibly heavy and highly reliant on battery management. When asked about his ultimate rule change, Max Verstappen immediately targeted the power unit.
For the star driver of Red Bull Racing, the return to V8s isn't just about nostalgia for louder cars; it is a fundamental fix for the current generation's weight and drivability issues. He explained that a proper V8 is much better in every single scenario, offering superior drivability while being lighter and much more fun to race with.
Perhaps the most sensational part of his proposal is the solution for modern overtaking. Since 2011, Formula 1 has relied on the Drag Reduction System to manufacture overtakes on the straights. Max Verstappen believes a lighter V8 car, paired with a small, IndyCar-style electrical boost, could finally kill DRS forever.
He explained that a manual push-to-pass system gives the driver control to make brave moves under braking, rather than effortlessly cruising past a rival halfway down a straight because a flap opened, noting that DRS is sometimes way too powerful in certain places.
Read Also
Terungkap alasan Ferrari nekat pasang ban slick di Sepang untuk Hamilton dan Leclerc setelah memantau rekaman onboard Safety Car sebelum start.
Game resmi F1 25 kini bisa didapatkan secara gratis oleh para pelanggan PlayStation Plus di PS5 hingga 2 November mendatang.
Mengulas misteri pemilihan ban Lewis Hamilton, komentar pedas Charles Leclerc, hingga rumor kepindahan Fernando Alonso ke ajang reli Dakar.
Continue with Google
Discussion (0)
Join the Discussion!
Sign in easily to start commenting, replying, and interacting with other readers.
Latest Comments
No comments yet. Be the first!